CAS-GJ Doug Van Etten Endowed Scholarship

“The Grand Junction Chapter of the Colorado Archeological Society has established this scholarship to support students studying archaeology.

It is being named to honor long-time member Doug Van Etten: Adventurer, Explorer, Organizer, Community Leader, Teacher, Geologist, Mountaineer, Traveler, White Water Boater, Skier, Community Activist, Connector, Canyoneer, Researcher, Rock Climber, Wilderness Ice Skater, Hiker, Backpacker, Ocean Kayaker.

Doug had so many hats it is impossible to cover that larger-than-life personality. Above all else, Doug loved the outdoors, especially when he could bring others with him. Since most people didn’t have his skill sets, Doug would set up training, education, and assistance so that he could have company.

He would start by wanting to learn something. For example, he got interested in Archaeology, specifically Rock Art. He learned that there used to be a Grand Junction chapter for the Colorado Archaeology Society (CAS) and reactivated it. To Doug, that was the challenge. He leveraged the chapter membership from zero into one of the largest within a couple of years. He added public lectures, engaged local knowledge to lead field trips, built partnerships with CMU and other Archeology programs, all within six years. For that, GJ/CAS created this scholarship fund in his name.

Doug used this model for everything he was interested in. He spent 30 years in Alaska, leaving behind him a well-organized Meetup of 700+ outdoor enthusiasts called the Anchorage Adventurers. It is still going strong. Doug built community while he was on the Anchorage Assembly sending out newsletters to his constituency so all could benefit from learning how the assembly works and how the decisions were made.

Doug and his wife, Mary Hertert, moved to Fruita, CO, in 2011. Here, Doug opened up his toolbox of extraordinary research and organizing skills by joining and transforming an existing Meetup group into the Western Slope Adventurers, a wide-reaching website to connect outdoor enthusiasts in every kind of way. Western Slope Adventurers, GJ/CAS, Fruita Planning Commission, Real Estate Investor’s group- all became groups who benefited from Doug’s thirst for learning and building community."