CARMIE R. DAFOE, JR.

1920–1975

The mountaineering community in general and the Mazamas and the America Alpine Club in particular have lost a dedicated friend. Carmie R. Dafoe, Jr. was killed in an automobile accident in Moccasin, Montana on June 29, 1975.

Carmie was born June 22, 1920 in Portland, Oregon. He received a B.A. degree (Phi Beta Kappa) from Reed College in 1946 and a J.D. degree (cum laude) from Harvard University in 1949. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945 and 1951 to 1952. His overseas duty included Morocco, Algeria, Italy, France and Germany. He was a partner in the law firm of Lindsay, Nahstoll, Hart, Duncan, Dafoe and Krause in Portland, Oregon.

Carmie’s interest in mountaineering started with an ascent of Mount Hood on July 22, 1961. He then joined the Mazamas and entered into their activities with an enthusiasm that did not seem to have bounds. His leadership ability was soon recognized, and he was appointed to the climbing committee where he served first as chairman of the basic climbing school, second as chairman of the intermediate climbing school and finally as chairman of the climbing committee itself.

He was appointed to the outing committee and subsequently served as its chairman. He was elected to the Mazama Executive Council and served two years as President. He also found time to climb extensively and to lead climbs in the Cascades of Oregon and Washington, the Wallowas of Oregon, the Tetons of Wyoming, the Sierra Nevada of California, the Selkirks of British Columbia, the Sawtooth of Idaho, Rocky Mountains of Canada, the Coast Range of British Columbia, Wind River Range of Wyoming, the Olympic Range of Washington, the Beartooth Range of Montana, the Lost River Range of Idaho, the Ruby Mountains of Nevada and the Swiss Alps. He was climb leader of Mazama outings to the Selkirks and the Tetons. He was co-leader of a Mazama climbing outing in Mexico. He was outing leader of Mazama outings to the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the Ruby Mountains.

He was leader of a Mazama expedition to climb Aconcagua in Argentina.

As a leader his planning was meticulous and his concern for the safety of his party was of first importance. He found time in his busy schedule to co-author a climber’s guide to the Sawtooths of Idaho and to author a climber’s guide to the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Mountains of Nevada.

Carmie was a frequent contributor of articles and photographs to the Mazama annual publication. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Mazama By Laws Committee and designated leader of a Mazama climbing outing to the Swiss Alps in 1976. In addition to his Mazama activities, Carmie also became active in American Alpine Club affairs. He was elected in 1966 to the AAC and served as chairman of the Oregon section in 1973–74. In 1973 he was elected to membership in the Explorers Club.

He is survived by his wife, Vera (also an AAC member), a daughter, Janet Dafoe Davis and a son, Barton Dafoe.

Kenneth M. Winters