Susan Butcher
I never had occasion to meet Susan Butcher, but I always admired her for her single-mindedness. She embodied the true spirit of Alaska: she moved to the Interior from Outside to pursue a life of solitude and dedication to her passion — she wanted to win the Iditarod! After eight tries she did, in 1986. Then she went on to win three more times. Karen and I watched her start one year, and she was exactly what you’d expect: a red snowsuit full of energy and all business arranging her dogs. We’ll miss her now that she’s gone, but I expect to hear news of her daughters’ exploits soon enough. Her kind of spirit is too big for one generation.