From left: Tom Pelletier, Bob McIntosh, Al Cowperthwaite
AWWF President, Bob McIntosh, visits North Maine Woods, Inc offices in Ashland ME to congratulate Al Cowperthwaite on his pending retirement and to meet the incoming Executive Director, Tom Pelletier. Photo: Rachel Pohl
Dear Al,
I write on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation, the “Friends of the Allagash,” to thank and congratulate you on more than four decades of service to the great Maine woods and all who would use them wisely and well.
Perhaps no individual has done more than you in this regard over these decades. Your devotion to the North Maine Woods organization and its core values has more than justified the wisdom of the NMF’s founders – including legendary woodland managers John Sinclair, Morris Wing, and others – in choosing you for its long-term leadership.
A modest man who has sought no public acclaim for your good works, in 2012 the University of Maine honored you with its Distinguished Alumnus Award. We think of no better words to express our gratitude than those that accompanied the award:
Al’s distinguished career in bridging the interests of diverse groups, pioneering efforts to ensure public recreation access to private lands for present and future generations, and assisting the state, region, and local community is a wonderful example of the possibilities that await future graduates of the School of Forest Resources.
We at the AWWF are especially grateful for your accustomed kindness in welcoming our creation a decade ago, and helping guide us through our early years. Of singular note is your help in introducing Allagash Explorer to the general public through its sale at the NMW’s gates to the Allagash.
We extend every good wish to you in your retirement from the North Maine Woods organization, and hope greatly that our paths will cross time and again in the great Maine woods.
Sincerely,
Bob McIntosh
President
Allagash Wilderness Waterway Foundation
