Evening star., 1941-04-30
Arno B. Cammerer,
Former Director Of
Park Service, Dies
Succumbs at Home in
CherrydoIe After
Heart Attack

Arno B Cammerei. ST, until year
ago director of the National Park
Service and since then director of
its region No. l, died early today at
his home in Cherrydale, Va, follow
ing heart attack.
Mr.. Cammerer was taken III in
Norfolk, Va, last week, returned at
once to his home, and had been con-
sidered in serious condition since the
week end, officials of the Park Serv-
ice said. The attack was termed a
recurrence of coronary thrombosis
ailment two years ago which later
forced his retirement from manage
ment Of the Nations Fairgrounds.
Funeral services will be held Fri
day at the Hines funeral home at
time not yet announced officials
said. Burial will be IN GAINESVILLE,
Wis, Saturday afternoon.
Praised BY Ickes.
Told of his death, Secretary of
the Interior Ickes made the follow
ing comment:
The death of Mr.. Cammerer is
sad news, He had a long and
honorable career in the National
Park Service, in which his devotion
to his duty overshadowed all other
considerations. 1t was this very
devotion which caused him to sacri-
flee his health and contributed to
his untimely death.
His contributions to the service
were many and outstanding. Dur
ing his directorship the areas under
the service tripled in number and
facilities for public use were in
creased notably. Attendance in the
parks jumped from approximately
100000 to 5000, 900 persons a year.
His part in this splendid record will
cause Mr.. Cammerer long TO be re-
membered for his work"
Newton B. Drury. VINO succeeded
Mr. Cammerer as park service di-
rector, was informed of the death
shortly after $50 am. In state
ment he indicated that Mr.. Cam
merer had virtually ignored his poor
health to continue his work for the
Government.
Insisted on Continuing Work.
How fine and generous he was
right TO the end" he said Although
handicapped by Ill health, he in
sisted on carrying on the cause in
yroirI, ~ cn ,,,+
No one I have ever known had
more friends, or more richly de-
served them
Mr. Cammerer had deep feeling
for the land of America. and once
declared that any monetary sacrifice
is worth while for a "glamorous op-
portunity to provide for the health,
recreation, education and enjoy
ment of the people"
He was born on July 81. 1888, in
a sod house in Arapahoe. Nebr, the
son of a German Lutheran minister.
He lived in Michigan, Illinois, Wis
consin and was appointed from
Wisconsin as a bookkeeper in the
Treasury Department. He was
career official all his life.
Graduate of Georgetown.
One OF his main purposes in COM
ing to Washington was to finish his
education, which had halted in high
school in Illinois. He was graduated
from Mckinley High Schools night
classes and from Georgetown Uni
versity Law School in 1911.
After earning several promotions
he became private and confidential
clerk to several Assistant Secretaries
of the Treasury. He was selected in
1916 as assistant secretary to the
National Commission of Fine Arts
and at the same time was first
secretary of the Public Buildings
Commission of Congress.
During construction of the Lin
coin Memorial he served in a conf
dental capacity to officers in charge
OF public buildings and grounds and
the work was repeated in other
projects.
Entered Park Service in 1919.
He first entered the National Park
Service in 1919, when Franklin K.
Lane. then Secretary of the In
terror, made him assistant directors
Horace NJ Albright, director, re-
signed in 1888 and Mr.. Cammerer
succeeded him by appointment of
Secretary Ickes.
At about this time President
consolidated national
parks TO increase Park Service scope
and duties four-fold, and Mr.. Cam
merer became custodian of more