The Petrified Forest Museum Association Board of Directors honored Paul Barger, owner and publisher emeritus of The Tribune-News, on May 5, as a board member emeritus with all honors and privileges of a board member for his 41 years of selfless dedication and service to the association.
During his time on the board of directors, Barger served as board member, secretary/treasurer, vice chairman and chairman, and worked diligently with the board of directors and staff to improve and expand the association.
Barger was noted for his sound advice, guidance, direction and resolve that were the cornerstone for the success of the association. When Barger first began volunteering in 1970, annual sales for the association totaled $68,642. Since that time, the association has grown to record sales of $560,000 while serving 550,000 to 700,000 visitors annually. The organization provides more than 84 percent of its net proceeds to benefit Petrified Forest National Park with funding for research, grants, interpretation tools, displays, staff-ing assistance and other needs.
A letter from the association states, “Our debt of gratitude for his service can never be repaid, but hope will be honored as we move (his) work forward with continuing determination and drive.”
