This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah has lost two of its finest conservationists in the past few weeks.

Hugh Hogle, who served on the Utah Wildlife Board, contributed to numerous conservation organizations and was one of the founders of the old Anglers' Inn fishing shop, passed away in early March.

Hogle was a fine surgeon and a passionate defender of wildlife, providing a strong voice for protecting wild places. The Tribune's Michael McFall obituary on Hogle can be read at McFall's obituary on Hogle can be read at http://www.sltrib.com/home/3621985-155/obituary-hugh-hogle-saved-lives-protected

And, this week, Bob Ebeling of Brigham City passed away.

I will never forget spending a day on the Bear River Bird Refuge with Ebeling after the floods of the mid-1980s rendered much of the fabled refuge useless.

Ebeling, a rocket scientist who had recommended against the launch of the ill-fated Challenger Space Shuttle, had turned to nature as a way of dealing with the stress and grief. He used his engineering skills to help rebuild the refuge and formed a friends group of volunteers.

Both men will be missed by those who love nature who appreciated their passion for wild places.