VAN BUREN, Mo. — After 42 years of federal service, Ozark National Scenic Riverways Superintendent Larry Johnson is retiring on January 3.
Larry has been the superintendent at the park since 2015, and has been with the National Park Service for 36 years.
A native of Iowa, Johnson worked three summers as a forestry technician on the Superior National Forest in Minnesota while attending Iowa State University. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Recreation Resource Management, he landed his first permanent park ranger job in 1979 with the Army Corps of Engineers in Iowa. Following that, he worked at several NPS positions, starting as supervisory park technician at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in Iowa in 1983. Johnson also worked at Yellowstone National Park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Badlands National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument, ultimately serving at Ozark twice during his career, both as chief ranger and, later, superintendent. Johnson also graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center with his law enforcement commission, which he held for 27 years. He maintained certification as an emergency medical technician for over 30 years.
Larry and Jan, his wife of 38 years, will stay in the Van Buren area for a time before ultimately settling down in Iowa to be close to their family.
A retirement luncheon will be held at noon on Friday, December 20, at park headquarters in Van Buren. Guests are welcome and can R.S.V.P. by calling 573-323-4852.
