Gary West Colliver died Aug. 30, 2026, in Denver, Colo., at the age of 83.
Gary was born in Modesto, Calif., on Dec. 5, 1942, the son of Grant and Mary (Stone) Colliver, and grew up in San Jose.
While in college, Gary discovered his passion for climbing and soon was living at Camp 4 in Yosemite Valley. Gary met his future wife, Reva, in Tuolumne Meadows; they were married in the Yosemite Valley Chapel on June 18, 1965.
Gary’s climbing and mountaineering achievements include: with Glen Denny, in 1964, the first ascent of Jirishanca Norte, Peru; with Richard McCracken and John Evans, the fourth ascent of the Nose on El Capitan; and his participation in the 1971 International Himalayan Expedition to Mount Everest.
Throughout his decades of devoted service to Yosemite, Gary wore many hats. Early in his NPS career, he was a wilderness and climbing ranger, park medic and volunteer firefighter who skillfully participated in scores of search and rescue incidents.
In 1983, Gary, along with two fellow rangers, received a Department of the Interior Valor Award for the swiftwater rescue of a park visitor. Gary rounded out his Yosemite NPS career working in planning and compliance.
Gary’s strong moral compass, patience, intelligence and even temperament enabled him to find common ground among people whose interests often were at cross-purposes.
Gary cared deeply for the earth, its ecosystems and biodiversity, and was dogged in shedding light on both ecological crises and paths toward lasting solutions. He was committed to the Bahá’í Faith and its principles of oneness, unity through diversity, consultation, collective action and environmental stewardship.
Reva and Gary, after his retirement from the NPS, opened Windows on the World – Books and Art in downtown Mariposa. They poured their energy and modest financial resources into the venture, offering a local community resource and gathering place for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and creativity.
Gary is survived by Reva; his brothers, Raymond and Dennis; his son, Matt and daughter-in-law, Deana; and two grandchildren, Samantha (Blain) and Shelby.
A graveside service was held on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Cheyenne, Wyo.
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