Robert A. Williams, 69, Surprise, Arizona [BODY FOUND]

[TigressPen]

Grand Canyon search continues for missing West Valley man

Reported by: Associated Press
Reported by: ABC15.com staff
Last Update: 5/30 4:38 pm


Authorities say they are continuing a search for a 69-year-old Surprise man who is reported missing at Grand Canyon National Park.

According to Shannon Marcak with Grand Canyon National Park, ground searchers are out again Saturday and are using a spotting scope to aid in the search of difficult to access terrain.

Park rangers say Robert A. Williams was last seen last Saturday outside the park's backcountry information center and reported overdue Tuesday from a trip to the park.

On Wednesday, park rangers found Williams' car parked behind the visitor's center on the canyon's South Rim.

Rangers along with search and rescue personnel are searching the Hermit, Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails -- all of which can be easily reached from Grand Canyon Village either on foot or by taking a park shuttle.


pic at URL - http://www.abc15.com/content/news/westvalley/surprise/story/Grand-Canyon-search-continues-for-missing-West/nXg_BwwDJEqCEE0WYhjd_g.cspx

[TigressPen]

Park Rangers Narrow Search Area in Grand Canyon National Park

Date: May 29, 2009
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958


Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park search and rescue personnel are now focusing their search for Robert A. Williams on the Hermit Basin area west of Grand Canyon Village.

The search for Mr. Williams began on Tuesday, May 26, when family members became worried that he had not returned from the holiday weekend. According to Mr. Williams family, he had planned to do some hiking at the Grand Canyon. Although no backcountry permit was found on file, on Wednesday, May 27, Mr. Williams car was found parked behind the Verkamp’s Visitor Center on the South Rim, indicating that he might still be in the park.

With no specific itinerary to work from, searchers spread themselves across the three trails easiest to reach from Mr. Williams parking spot—the Hermit, Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails. Investigators also asked, through the media, for the assistance of anyone who was hiking in the park over the holiday weekend and might have seen Mr. Williams. In response to this request, the park received information which helped them to narrow their search to one area in the park—the Hermit Basin area, located approximately eight miles west of Grand Canyon Village.

The Hermit Trail itself is a popular trail. So, searchers on the ground are currently focusing their efforts on areas of the basin that are less traveled. A dog team and spotters in a helicopter are also being used in the search effort as weather allows.

Investigators continue to hope that anyone who hiked in the park over the holiday weekend and believes they might have seen Mr. Williams will contact the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center at 928-638-7805.

Robert A. Williams is from Surprise, Arizona and is described as a white male, 69 years of age. He is 5’5” tall, weighs approximately 165 pounds and has grey hair and brown eyes. He was last seen carrying a dark green Gregory backpack.


http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/news-2009-05-29-search.htm

[Faith]

Surprise man, 69, still missing at Grand Canyon

by Eddi Trevizo - Jun. 1, 2009 01:14 PM
The Arizona Republic

Family members of a Grand Canyon hiker who has been missing for nearly a week prepared a list of safety tips for hikers in the hopes of preventing other families from losing loved ones, Grand Canyon National Park officials said Monday.

"The Williams family hopes that no one else should have to experience such a tragedy," family members said in a letter expressing their gratitude for search efforts.

Robert A. Williams, 69, a resident of Surprise, was last seen outside the park's back country information center on Saturday, May 23. Park rangers found Williams' car near the Verkamp's Visitor Center on the South Rim after he failed to return home from the Memorial Day weekend and launched exhaustive search efforts that were scaled back on May 30, said National Park Service officials in a press release.

"Park rangers will continue to use dogs and searchers on foot on a limited basis to examine cliff areas where a fall might have occurred," park officials said in a press statement.

Williams did not have a back country permit or known itinerary, which made the search along the Hermit Basin difficult for rangers to narrow down. Helicopter, ground searchers and a dog team yielded no additional clues about Williams' whereabouts.

Lisa Clarke and her brother prepared the hand-written letter and said that their father is "presumed dead." The letter thanks rangers, tipsters who called in locations and everyone who kept the family in their prayers throughout their ordeal.

"Thank you for the outpouring of support," family members said.

The tips encourage hikers to always notify someone of their departure, location and expected return dates, and to get permits for trips when required.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/surprise/articles/2009/06/01/20090601abrk-missinghiker.html

[Faith]

http://www.naztoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/picture-11.png
Missing Grand Canyon Hiker Robert Williams

[Faith]

Body of missing Surprise man found in Grand Canyon

Jun. 2, 2009 02:15 PM

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - Grand Canyon National Park officials say a body searchers found on Tuesday is presumed to be a missing 69-year-old hiker from Surprise.

Park rangers had been searching for Robert A. Williams since May 26, when his family reported that he was overdue after a Memorial Day weekend hike in the canyon. Rangers found his car near the South Rim the next day.

The search area was narrowed after people who had encountered Williams on his hike reported where they saw him. Rangers using spotting scopes began looking for Williams on slopes where he might have fallen.

They found the body on Tuesday about 200 feet below the hermit trail and flew it out of the canyon.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/westvalley/articles/2009/06/02/20090602missing-hiker0602-ON.html

[Nut44x4]

Hiker's Body Found In Grand Canyon
http://www.kpho.com/news/19637321/detail.html
POSTED: 2:35 pm MST June 2, 2009

[TigressPen]

Body of missing Surprise man found in Grand Canyon

Jun. 2, 2009 02:15 PM

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK - Grand Canyon National Park officials say a body searchers found on Tuesday is presumed to be a missing 69-year-old hiker from Surprise.

Park rangers had been searching for Robert A. Williams since May 26, when his family reported that he was overdue after a Memorial Day weekend hike in the canyon. Rangers found his car near the South Rim the next day.

The search area was narrowed after people who had encountered Williams on his hike reported where they saw him. Rangers using spotting scopes began looking for Williams on slopes where he might have fallen.

They found the body on Tuesday about 200 feet below the hermit trail and flew it out of the canyon.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/westvalley/articles/2009/06/02/20090602missing-hiker0602-ON.html




I am saddened by this - I was hoping somehow he would survive. Deepest condolences go out to his family.

RIP Mr. Williams :1222423: