‘THOUGHTFUL EDUCATOR:’ DCNR remembers fallen park ranger

(WHTM) — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is remembering one of their own lost over the weekend.

Alec Campbell, a resource ranger at Tyler State Park in Bucks County, was found dead Sunday after authorities said he went missing in the Neshaminy Creek on Friday.

DCNR posted a tribute to Campbell Thursday to Facebook, describing him as “a thoughtful educator, drawing on his background in psychology and his experience as a devoted father to make meaningful connections with park visitors, volunteers, and students.”

“With an intense passion for life and an incredible ability to connect with people, Alec brought warmth, humor, and dedication to everything he did,” DCNR said. “He was an avid disc golfer, hiker, and paddler who loved planting native species and spent countless hours restoring natural areas by removing invasives.”

“He guided many Eagle Scout and youth projects at Tyler and always found a way to engage his audience,” the agency added. “He once was even described by a middle school group as ‘super chill and funny,’ which might just be the highest praise anyone could hope for.”

Governor Josh Shapiro had ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Pennsylvania on Tuesday in Campbell’s honor. Flags were already ordered to half-staff Monday for Memorial Day.

“Lori and I are praying for the family and friends of Alec Campbell,” Shapiro said in a statement Sunday. “As I told his wife Rena, we are eternally grateful for Alec’s service to his Commonwealth. May his memory be a blessing.”