In Memory | Joe Austin

IN MEMORY Joe Austin

Katie Baum Mettenbrink Risk Services Manager & Drew Leemon Director of Risk Management

On October 1, Joe Austin, a dear friend and colleague of many in the NOLS community, died while biking near his home in Lander, Wyoming. Joe’s personal and professional impact on our community was vast, and his loss is felt deeply.

His career in outdoor education spanned 40 years. He worked at summer camps, outdoor education centers, and with the Boy Scouts of America, in Maine, Arizona, Minnesota, Texas, and elsewhere. Joe came to NOLS as a student on a Wyoming winter ski course in 1980, and became a NOLS instructor in 1983. He worked as a NOLS field instructor and horse packer, in the NOLS field staffing office for 10 years, in NOLS admissions for 15 years—including as the associate director—and most recently as NOLS’ health review manager since 2015, working closely with students and their families during the admissions process and coordinating the many staff who support students’ individual health needs before and during courses. He received a NOLS Employee of the Year award in 2010.

Joe served on the Association for Experiential Education Accreditation Council for nine years, co-edited the Manuals of Accreditation Standards for Adventure Programs and Outdoor Behavioral Health Care, and was honored in 2018 with AEE’s Servant Leader Award. He was a speaker at the Wilderness Risk Management Conference and a skilled program reviewer for both NOLS Risk Services and AEE. His experience, insights, humility, and professionalism contributed greatly to the advancement of adventure education.

Throughout his career, with a gentle demeanor, clear communication, good humor, and quick wit, Joe welcomed and mentored hundreds of students, instructors, staff, and colleagues.

He was a Juilliard-trained percussionist and avid birder, loved biking and skiing, and was a profoundly kind and caring person. He deployed sarcasm like none other, in ways that made you laugh but never made you feel small. He was skilled in using his eyebrows to communicate.

Joe leaves behind the family he loved, including his wife and best friend, Anne, and their two children, Henry and Louisa. It’s an unspeakable loss. Our thoughts are with Joe’s family and the community of friends and colleagues who loved and miss him deeply.

Conversation and remembrances can be shared on Joe’s Facebook page, and/ or on the WRMC Community page. A memorial fund has also been established. Donations can be made to the Joe Austin Memorial Fund c/o Central Bank and Trust in Lander, 285 Main St, Lander, WY 82520, or credit card via phone: 307.332.4730.

Katie Baum Mettenbrink came to NOLS as a field instructor in 2003. She currently leads NOLS Risk Services, and was lucky enough to work, bike, and ski with Joe.

Drew Leemon, NOLS risk management director, has known Joe since the mid 1980s and worked closely with him for the past 20 years. They shared many bike and ski adventures together.