Gary Yoder

Gary Yoder, like his older brother Olin, was born into a family with talent. His father, Claude, was honored by the Smithsonian Institution for his wood carving ability; Gary was a five-time world champion: four times in the "miniature" category and once for a life-sized carving.
His contributions to Western Maryland were many. He was a decades-long employee of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, served as the first manager of Deep Creek Lake Stae Park and relocated to Annapolis where he was instrumental in the long effort to build the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing; one of his important accomplishments was acquiring public fishing access to the North Branch of the Potomac River. Many of those fishermen are ferried by professional guides. That project mirrored his program to lure large groups to Garrett County where they would fish the Savage, Potomac and Youghiogheny rivers - in the meantime being able to consider Garrett County for future investment opportunities. That Youghiogheny River was, we're told, his favorite stream; he was a member of the Youghiogheny Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Like Olin, Gary was a gifted story teller, and that ability - and his sense of humor - endeared him to those who met him; he had friends throughout the state, and that was important as he worked to protect and share the natural environs of Western Maryland.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from West Virginia University, and his Master of Arts degree in counseling from the same institution. He was a member of the Garrett County Development Corporation, Board of ASCI and Board of Susquehanna Bank. Gary passed away while at a deer hunting camp on November 29, 2009.