Wayne Gronquist

In 2010 we said goodbye to one of Save Barton Creek Association's three founding members and a dear friend, Wayne Gronquist, who died at the age of 69. As a young lawyer, Wayne filed SBCA's Articles of Incorporation in September of 1979, and wrote the Bylaws that govern the Association to this day. Wayne remained involved in many aspects of SBCA's mission for 31 years. We extend condolences to Wayne's family and also grateful thanks for his generous service to Barton Springs and Barton Creek, which he loved so dearly.

Click here to read a Remembrance of Wayne by Jack Goodman
To read more about Wayne, visit waynegronquist.com.
Click here to read an article celebrating Wayne published in the Austin American-Statesman.

Donations should be directed to the Wayne Gronquist Education Fund, benefitting the Texas River School, 1104 Nueces, Austin, Texas 78701.

The following obituary was published in Austin American-Statesman on November 13, 2010:

Wayne Gronquist passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 9, 2010 in Costa Rica surrounded by family and friends after a battle with prostate cancer. Wayne was a beloved father, son, grandfather, explorer, environmentalist, attorney, preservationist, schemer, dreamer, and friend. An Admiral in the Texas Navy, historian, philosopher, and yogi, Wayne was blessed with three sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren.

Born to Sophie and Robert Gronquist in February 5, 1941 in Jamestown, New York, Wayne later relocated to Burlington, Vermont and then to Buffalo, New York before settling in Texas. After graduating from UT with a double major in economics and philosophy, Wayne travelled to Europe and studied at the University of Vienna. After marrying Jill McRae and having two wonderful sons, Mark and Eran, Wayne graduated from UT Law School in 1972.

Wayne Gronquist was a longtime environmental activist and preservationist. He initiated a series of successful battles to preserve what we know and love as Travis Heights, achieving multiple volunteer zoning roll backs thanks to his tireless lobbying efforts with individual owners. While leading efforts to preserve the Travis Heights neighborhood, Wayne applied and secured historic zoning for three of the most historic homes in Travis heights, including the Warner Lucas House, where Wayne lived from 1960 to 1987, the Red-Purcell House and the Mather-Kirkland House, the latter of which was registered on the national register of Historic places.

As a volunteer and founding member of the Zilker Park Posse, Wayne drafted legislation in the 1970s to protect Barton Creek. He later helped found the Save Barton Creek Association. Wayne served on numerous tasks forces where he dedicated his time, talents and passion to improve Austin's environment. Wayne played a pivotal role in the cleanup of massive illegal dumping in Imperial Valley South and helped create a home for the Texas River School to educate and mentor disadvantaged youth.

Wayne's passion for preservation extended to maritime preservation. In 1979 Wayne co-founded NUMA, National Underwater Marine Agency, with Clive Cussler. Wayne's three decades of vision and commitment to solving the great mysteries of the underwater world were honored with deepest gratitude with the Distinguished Founder Award.

He married his second wife Kari Puckett in 1986 and they were blessed with a son, Justin. Wayne is preceded in death by his father, Robert "Bob" Gronquist. Wayne is survived by his mother, Sophie Gronquist, his sons Mark, Eran, and Justin Gronquist, his daughters-in-law Molly Gronquist and Rachel Muir, and his grandchildren Kate, Liv, Luke and Scarlett Gronquist. Before leaving Austin, Texas for the last time, Wayne asked all of his friends to come visit Costa Rica, whether he was there or not.

Susan Bright

Susan was the best and reminded us all to try and step up. She swam every day at the pool and always knew the status of the water quality without the tests coming in. Years ago I remember the conversation of"Are we crazy to be swimming today? Yes, probably" but we went anyway.
She never faltered. She never wavered in her support of the pool, the springs, the trees and the entire ecosystem of Barton Springs. She could say these things in beautiful words where the rest of us would be feeling the moment & it would pass. We could remember it but it was ours; Susan wrote the moment down for others to grasp. She shared. And she protected what we all love with her words. I will always be expecting her to come down the steps to the pool smiling, with a laugh, asking ‘how's the water?’ And of course if it wasn't OK, adding, ‘What should we do?’
Pam Thompson

To visit Susan's memorium site and guestbook, click here.
Click here to read the Austin 360 article celebrating Susan, or click here to read an article published by KUT.

You can contribute to the Susan Bright Writer's Memorial Fund to support writers and poets in lieu of flowers or gifts. Website orders also support the press and the current writers.

The following is a tribute to Susan by the Save Our Springs alliance:

Barton Springs has lost its most eloquent, knowing, loving, and irrepressible friend and defender.

Susan Bright, poet, publisher, activist, educator, mother, grandmother, friend, feminist, and Barton Springs lap swimmer passed away following a short illness.

Since the 1970s Susan has been a force of nature among Austin's writers and activists. Susan authored 17 books of poetry; three won Austin Book Awards. Tirades and Evidence of Grace won the Violet Crown Award. In 1990 Susan was selected as Woman of the Year by the Austin Women's Political caucus. For more than 30 years she has been the editor and driving force behind the small, fiercely independent Plain View Press.

In her book Breathing Under Water and in many other works, Susan revealed herself to be the oracle of Barton Springs. At critical turning points in the struggle to save Barton Springs, Susan would recite her work as testimony at public hearings before the Austin City Council.

She always told us the truth in ways that no one else could. In 2009 she recruited children and families to spring to the defense of Barton Springs' heritage trees. Her poem from that time, "Legend," concludes:

It is said the thirst of Earth's
great trees calls water
from depths which are invisible
causing springs to flow.

Susan named one of the trees marked for removal, the one closest to the Philosopher's Rock statue at the front gate, the "Poet's Tree." See a photo of Susan in front of the Poet's Tree, and read about some of her work to save the trees at Barton Springs here.

Susan's words, love, and caring will live on forever.