Forrest Fenn Obituary

What an inspiration Forrest has been! Wishing I was part of the "thrill" I am addicted to the Netflix series and watch it over and over falling asleep to it. RIP Forrest, another fan...Pamela

Two weeks til Christmas 2023.and I still miss you mr.forrest.virginia Diane redin.

Many, many stars in the sky - Some just shine brighter than others.

Enjoy the banquet - Save us a seat.

What a wonderful adventure filled life. Good for you, RIP Forrest.

What a story he left us.

He who hath loved...hath lived.....

You will be great miss and greatly admired by all who love mystery, treasure hunts, and puzzle poem coding, Mastermind of thought and literature, You always thought out of the Box.

You continue to be in my thoughts and still draw tears to my eyes. You've brought so many smiles and laughter into my life. Over a year ago, I commented how you probably grabbed a pineapple pie and a squirt gun with you through the Pearly Gates. Today, I remember Shiloh wrote of you grabbing a handful of stars with you. I love that thought. I'd like to think you may have brought your favorite flyrod, too. I hope there's a place in Heaven that looks like the Madison and find you fishing there for God surely knew what He was doing when He made Yellowstone. Cast your line and catch one for me. When it's my turn, I hope you can teach me the proper way to fly fish; I'm still learning and still haven't caught one. May you always find something new to explore. Your family is truly blessed to have such wonderful memories kept in their hearts. I miss you, my friend.

Thank you for allowing me to dream and imagine, along with my brother John and the rest of the world. I read all 3 of your Treasure books and spoke to you once on Memorial Day 2020. I dont know where you are now, but I sure miss you now, and wish the chase was on! To me you were kind, sweet, wise, and fair! Please drop a line to my soul any time!

I live in Florida, the first I heard of your adventure was through Josh Gates magical fantasy. I’m sure you had a ball with it too. Happy trails and thanks for your service to our great country. I’m listing myself as student because you taught us all with your treasure.
Jeff

A year later and the gentleman and friend continues to be greatly missed.

Rest in peace cousin..

Forrest,
You gave people Hope, You gave a community of searchers and I an outlet to forget about life’s complications and just dream. You have shown us that treasures exist within all of us. I sure miss your wit. My condolences to your family and all of those in whom you have
touched. Save me a spot up there, I would love to watch the fish together and hear more stories.

Thank you for your Service,
Thank you for teaching me
so much.I don't think people well
see the full scope and Magnitude
that has been played out for everyone
Thank you for restoring hope in the human race.You are an Awesome
teacher and mentor and leading by example.Thank you Grand Papa
I well never forget you or your awesome stories.May you now get your wings
and can fly without a plane.R.I.P
I SAY THESE things with Love and respect for your crafts.
Critical Mass

Forrest was my BEST friend. I'll miss him! We shared many laughs together, but especially at the end of his treasure hunt.

I am saddened to hear of Forrest Fenn´s passing and I send my prayers and heartfelt condolences to his Family and Friends. I first learned of Mr. Fenn from watching Expedition Unknown in 2015. I learned he was covering from an illness and I have prayed for Mr. Fenn and his Family ever since.
May God Bless you now and always!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmC_yh9xaHA
Onelove

Thanks Forrest for the phone conversation! I will always remember it. What a true inspirational man you were! I loved your books and searching for your treasure! May you rest in peace!

Forrest
You fooled the world once again. You were always the best at taking someone else’s story and making it your own in such a better way! Your legacy will live on mission accomplished

The Thrill of the Chase will never end just like my memories of you will never end. You are a Hero forever in many peoples hearts. Prayers with all of you that are feeling down and to the family of a GREAT man.

You were the best 10 yrs of our lives, Thank you so very much, I will miss our emails, my son will never forget you.. Your Legacy will live on for many many yrs to come. We Love and Miss you..Always..Alissa Renee and (LTG)= Landon The Great as you called him..

40 years ago you started an adventure to last a lifetime. Full page color. I tried to steal that magazine. I did manage to get the page and put it on my wall through negotiation though. I couldn't read but audio books were amazing for a kid that couldn't read. That was my first discovery that imagination can get around most obstacles. I owe you my determination and self confidence because I discovered your source back then. The Browns are still big and the Bows are fat, not as private now but the stars are amazing.

I still miss you mr.forrest.

one of my favorite writers. has passed . mr forrest fenn. at age 90. you will always be remembered in my family as the man who created adventure for everyone....he promoted families and everyone to get into nature...! and encouraged everyone...to enjoy life....forrest lived a long life. his life will always be a legacy. and his legacy will go on forever.....i wish i could have met you....and your family!...you are a legacy!
this book is now closed....but will never be forgotton!
kristine kuenzi

We know you will live on in the mountains, in the place that is your own, under a canopy of stars - where sunshine and shadows dance for all eternity.

Our deepest sympathy for his family and many friends. Thank you for the greatest adventure of the chase.

We know you will live on in the mountains, in the place that is your own, under a canopy of stars - where sunshine and shadows dance for all eternity.

Our deepest sympathy for his family and many friends. Thank you for the greatest adventure of the chase.

Thank you forrest for the adventure of the thrill of the chase and my God bless and comfort your family in the days ahead. Thank you family for sharing forrest with so many of us. God's blessings this day and always to the family and may forrest be enjoying the true treasure in heaven.

To all who knew Forrest Fenn, he lived the Cowboy-ish adventurism to his last days. He helped instill a spirit of people he would never meet and provided many a challenge that will never be forgotten. Instill it upon yourself to keep your Thrill of the Chase going, whatever that purpose may be. God Bless all.
PS. Forrest MAY have posted on Find a Grave as EpitaphWriter. = )

Old pilots never die, they just fly higher

Forrest Fenn, was a American hero and a man before his time. He challenged the Americans people to seek nature to find his Chest. In the process, taught history,
and love of his fellow man.
A maverick of his time , allowing the chase to all seekers to explore nature in the beautiful Rockies!
May God bless his family and friends and especially comfort to his beloved wife Peggy and children..

Prayers for the friends and family during this difficult time.

Forrest, You were a HERO to me... I hope you are at peace fishing in the streams in Heaven. Your wisdom, humor, and stories will always be treasure to me. Your Fan Always! Peace to all Famiy and Friends. Justin

Fly high and soar above the mountains, Forrest! You will be forever missed. Sending all my love to his dear family.

“Beyond this place of wrath and tears loo ms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

It is both an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to meet and briefly exchange stories with living legend. A true gentleman and patriot and the last of a breed of men who truly lived his passions, an example we should all be so fortunate as to follow. A mighty handshake accompanied by a soft-spoken yet commanding presence which continues to resonate. An American icon if ever there was one and I’m humbled to have met this mountain of a man. Godspeed Mr. Fenn.

“Beyond this place of wrath and tears loo ms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

It is both an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to meet and briefly exchange stories with living legend. A true gentleman and patriot and the last of a breed of men who truly lived his passions, an example we should all be so fortunate as to follow. A mighty handshake accompanied by a soft-spoken yet commanding presence which continues to resonate. An American icon if ever there was one and I’m humbled to have met this mountain of a man. Godspeed Mr. Fenn.

“Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

It is both an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to meet and briefly exchange stories with living legend. A true gentleman and patriot and the last of a breed of men who truly lived his passions, an example we should all be so fortunate as to follow. A mighty handshake accompanied by a soft-spoken yet commanding presence which continues to resonate. An American icon if ever there was one and I’m humbled to have met this mountain of a man. Godspeed Mr. Fenn.

Thank you for sharing small parts of your life with us all. My heart goes out to his loving wife Peggy, his daughters , grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a good man.

Thanks for giving us something for which to search in the great outdoors, Mr. Fenn. You will be missed by many.

Over twenty years I was one of Forrest's many friends, met many others, and shared some interesting times as well as some digging. In the process I came to know his lovely and gracious wife Peggy, daughters Zoe and Kelly, their husbands, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They meant the world to Forrest and they do to me. Peggy, Zoe, David, Kelly, Chris, and families: may God sustain you in your loss and guide you in your futures. I love you all.
Richard Blake and Charlotte Benischek-Blake

Condolences to the whole Fenn Clan.
Forrest was and always will be the Man !


Dean,

Good night sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Of this sad world, the loveliest and the best... I say good night and gone to rest.

Sorry I never got to meet you,

David Kane

What a life well-lived and one of the last of the great generation. Truly, a memorable man and friend to many. Our condolences are with Peggy and family.

We lost an iconic American who inspired mankind!
MD

To the family, friends, and seekers. My condolences. Forrest's books rekindled a fire in my imagination and I'll keep finding the chest in my dreams. He is truly a treasure that is now lost to time. May his memory last thousands of years

Thanks for the giving of your and your families time to touch so many life's in lots of way . I am certian that you will know when the bells are found and that you left this world a better place having been here and there is not many that can be assured of that as me I hope I do but have no doubt you touched lots of lives rip Mr Fenn and thank you Mrs Fenn for sharing him with the rest of us wish I had met him keep on the hunt in your new adventure Forrest

Forrest and his treasure hunt sparked me into going on the greatest adventures of my life. I searched places I never would have thought of going to before and experienced some of the most amazing things along the way. Forrest's outlook and the stories he shared rekindled a fire I'd let die out over the years. Thank you Forrest. I never met you but I will never forget you.

My condolences.

The world has lost an amazingly kind hearted man. Because of his treasure hunt, I have been clean and sober since 11/6/18. I owe him my life, he has done so much for me and my family and I wish I would have gotten the chance to tell him. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Respectfully
R.M. from PA

This man changed my life, enabled a remarkable adventure in YNP, enhanced my analytical skills, and educated me with his knowledge of art, artists, and history. RIP Forrest.

Pliny the Elder wrote that "true glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read." How rare it is to find someone who did both.

Words cannot express how sad I am at Forrest's passing. My deepest condolences to the Fenn family: Forrest was such an extraordinary human being, and his love for his family and the life he had with you permeated so much of what he shared with the world - in some ways, more than I think most realized.

There's a folk song here in Canada, and set in Saskatchewan, that has always reminded me of Forrest's stories about his love for Peggy, called "Land of the Living Skies". Towards the end of the song, the soldier's spirit returns to tell his wife not to cry after he's passed, because that's where he's gone - to the Land of the Living Skies. I've been listening to it so much this past week, thinking of him, your family, and what to write. Forrest sent so many people on adventures with his treasure & his stories, and for some of us, that meant seeing New Mexico for the first time. I had never seen a sun more beautiful, or skies so vibrant and blue and alive. I know I'll be remembering those blue skies with great fondness for the rest of my life. So that's where I'll always think of him: somewhere up there, flying high, in the land of the living skies.

I pray that those New Mexico skies, and the treasure and warmth of the memories you shared, will be a comfort to you in these difficult times. He will be long remembered around the world.

Well Forrest, I thought that I had enough Rocky Mnt. adventures for 3 lifetimes, then you came along and upped the ante. DANG

Tell me in Joyful numbers life is but a full dream. For the soul is alive in slumber and things are just what they seem. I’m lost but holding you and our cards close to my chest. I’ll see you again Brother

Well it looks like you had a wonderful and excited life with all the traveling you did and collecting old artifacts and putting together that treasure that made the world want to search for I pray you receive lots of treasures in heaven .

What a wonderful man so intelligent and interesting! May he RIP and condolences to his family! Sharon Smith Findlay Ohio

Forrest Fenn was the best friend that I had never met.

I would like to give Peggy and all of the Fenn family my condolences. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, father and grandpa. He was..well you know..one of a kind!

Thank you Forrest for all the adventures both written and in nature. I always wondered how to get my kids off the couch and away from their phones!

Thank you for being my mentor in adventure and in collecting indian relics and olden things.

Now that you have flown to a place that you have
never been before and are sitting at the great banquet table of history..tell Eric I said, “Hi” and keep my seat for me until I get there. Don’t start telling stories before I arrive! I want to hear them all.

- Delray Graves

Here’s to a man that wasn’t the best student , but turned out to be the greatest teacher I have ever known !
Thank you, Forrest, you were definitely here for the benefit of me. I will miss you, but I never will forget you!

Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die.

You'll always be with me on my adventures Fenn, whether you like it or not.

Thank you Forrest, for our adventures, and all that we learned about the Rockies, and life! Rest in Peace hero.

My condolences to the Fenn family, so very sorry for your loss, Forest and his treasure hunt will forever be remembered. May God be with all of you in your time of sorrow.

Thanks for your service in Vietnam, thanks for the chase. RIP

While I looked for ten years and never found Mr. Fenn’s bronze chest, I found riches enough in the process. I became more aware of the geography, botany, and history of the land where I live. I found gold in chamisa blossoms in summer and aspen leaves in fall. I think this was his intention.

The greatest treasure however, was Mr. Fenn himself, a character larger than life to challenge and entertain us. He inspired us with his example, to value nature, simplicity, history, family, friendships and the happiness of others. He embodied respect, tolerance, generosity, curiosity and humor. Aside from providing the most outlandish opportunity to find treasure, he shared his stories, answered questions in interviews, responded to thousands of our emails and encouraged us to go safely into the woods and be healthy.

My life is forever richer for having met him. I hope he knows that he won’t be forgotten.

Deepest condolences to his friends and especially his wonderful family. They were courteous beyond reckoning the few times that I had the privilege of meeting them. They deserve infinite thanks as well for their patience with his never ending emails and visitors.

With all my heart,
Ellen

Thank you for the friendship.
May you rest in peace .

He taught people how to study, how to read maps, and reminded you how to use your imagination and follow your dreams... Most of all he taught people how to BOTG!

Sorry for the loss of your loved one. May God be with and comfort the family.

Our condolences to the family. Mr. Fenn was a master story teller and we will miss his stories and his humor.

You appear to have squeezed every ounce out of living a very fulfilling life, Mr. Fenn. Life well lived, IMO. Well done and I hope to do the same.

Condolences to the Fenn family from his squadron mates in the 85th Fighter Squadron 1953-1956. A fine man and pilot. Will be missed by those of us still living. Looking forward to a grand reunion in due time.

Sending prayers to Peggy, Zoe, Kelly and Family. I would have never imagined that someone I knew so little could have such a significant impact in my life as Forrest did. I Am still a kid at heart. I am forever grateful. I will meet you in time and share stories at the Fennboree in the sky.

Forrest, thank you for giving of yourself and your unselfish contribution to so many, myself included, for your service and everybody that you inspired around the world. You will forever live in our hearts and minds. Much love to your family.

Sending prayers to Peggy, Zoe, Kelly and Family. I would have never imagined that someone I knew so little could have such a significant impact in my life as Forrest did. I Am still a kid at heart. I am forever grateful. I will meet you in time and share stories at the Fennboree in the sky.

Forrest,
Was a HERO to me. He inspired me with his Books and Interviews and I just loved his humor, intelligence, bravery and just TRUE GRIT! They don't make guys like Forrest Fenn anymore and his Legend will live on into the hearts of guys like me that long for adventure and that cherish the wilderness. I was sad to hear the Chest was found, and now I am more sad to hear Forrest has left us here. I am sure he is fishing a stream like the Madison in Heaven..... RIP Forrest, you gave me some sunshine in my Life and thousands of others.

I became familiar with a Forrest as a searcher in the Chase over the last five years. I like to think we became friends in that timeframe with many email and blog interactions. I expect to write a book about the experience soon. I’m glad I had the chance to meet him in person at Fennborree a couple years back. I will miss Forrest dearly. My sincere condolences to Mrs Fenn, and his entire family.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. "May your Memory be Eternal"!
From your National and International President, John Katsaros (EE 755), The U.S. Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society. (AFEES), and all our Directors, Members, Relatives and Friends.
"Cherish Your Freedom"!

Forrest Fenn an icon of the West, and true American hero has left us. He has gone on ahead as a forward observer for the rest of us. We will in time join him and share a great laugh. He was one of a kind. A humble man who had achieved so much. He was the type of person who could befriend a stranger. I'm saddened at losing my friend, and my heart goes out to his wife Peggy, daughters Kelly and Zoe, his son-in-laws, grand children, great grand daughter, and his vast list of friends. Forrest was just such an amazing man and inspiration to so many. The world will be a little less without him but Forrest would certainly expect all of us to get out there and smell the sunshine...

Forrest was a dear friend!! My husband Ed’s friend since childhood and then Best Man at our Wedding!! We enjoyed the special friendship and time spent together!! He will be greatly missed! Ed died a year ago today. I’m sure the two of them are reliving great times together!!

I first met Forrest in 1961 when he was my instructor in F-100 gunnery school at Luke AFB, AZ. Some years later he was my neighbor and commander at Reese AFB, Lubbock Texas. He was an extraordinarily interesting and creative guy who always had something new, and an imaginative solution to any problem. We often flew together. Over the years we remained friends--Forrest as an entrepreneur in Santa Fe while I was still in the USAF in Albuquerque. I often stopped to visit and spend some time as his guest over the years, eventually retiring myself in Albuquerque and visiting him now and then or chatting on the phone. He was truly one of the most unique individuals I met over many, many years and I always treasured looking over his memorabilia from both his days as a fighter pilot, and and ventures as an explorer, author and gallery owner. It is a real loss to bid him farewell as he flies west. I'll never forget him.

Thank you for so many wonderful memories.

Because of all that you have done, so many of us will continue to find the many beauties and treasures that exist throughout this world. Treasures we’d have never sought out without your genius way of guiding our footsteps to the many trailheads of adventure that had awaited us. Exploring the canyons, hiking the dry creeks, trailing through the forests. All things many may have missed out on without your nudge. We can’t all find that box of gold you had nudged us with, but we can and will continue to find the many treasures and beauties that await us throughout our quest, adding them to our own treasured chest. Thank you Forrest Fenn. You will always be remembered with great Honor.

Thank you!!

Forrest, May you Rest High on that Mountain. ❤ We all enjoyed you. Thank you.

Forrest was a special person in my life over the last 9 years. The Thrill of the Chase and his way of living and thinking helped me through some very hard times. My deepest condolences to the Fenn family and especially to Peggy.
My regards to his friends and the intire search community. Forrest see you on the other side! RIP

A life filled with adventure, service, imagination, and grace. Forrest encouraged us to step outside and “smell the sunshine”. A true friend I never knew.

The sun shines a little less bright and the world holds a little less magic without Forrest.

Forrest, you took a large full chunk of this life with you and a very large chunk of of hearts but I can't thank you enough for giving a huge chunk of our lives back to us through the thrill of the chase. God speed on your final flight. We love you! Jeffeey W. Stevens, 1LT, USAR Retired and Andi L. Stevens

With sympathy to Forrest Fenn’s family. He touched the hearts of so many people. May the God of tender mercies comfort you today and in the days to come.

I didn’t get to meet Forrest but I sure had fun emailing him with the hope that one day I would meet him. His last words to me were, I hope we can meet some time. I am pretty sure he separated “some time” for a reason. I highly doubt he did anything without thoughtful consideration. He’s a brilliant Man and he knows how to have fun. I hope when the solution comes out that he did make himself the King in the non-fiction kids book he always wanted to write. I would have loved the “title” to his Kingdom. Maybe the finder didn’t want to play “his part.” I sure would have, a golden letter to all, with an invitation to my coronation. Hehe I’d like to think I had part in writing his happily ever after. I will forever feel blessed to have met some of you in celebrating Forrest’s life. He always thought he deserved a throne he said at the moby dickens interview. I am positive he imagined himself at the head of the banquet table he fondly writes about. Some of Forrest’s words:

“This life, which had been the tomb of his virtue and of his honour, is but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more ” Thank you Mister Shakespeare, but we didn’t ask for your opinion, and we’re not ready yet to retire. We’ll let you know when. “ -Forrest Fenn

“To the Caliph I am dirt but to the dirt I am Caliph” -Forrest Fenn

You’ll be sorely missed, Emperor of The imperial Forrest.

Cheers,to your happily ever after,

Denise Bagley

Forrest, thank you for your service to this great nation and thank you for the thrill of the chase. God's peace to you and your family.

You created the Treasure Hunt to encourage the love of nature. You put Albuquerque on the map. For 10 years, people from all over the world took the challenge. I followed your website . God bless you and your family,

One of kind man that inspired so many. He taught me more than he'll ever know and I am forever grateful. My condolences to his family. RIP

What an amazing person. His life was so full and unique. He often reminded me of my own Father. I searched for his treasure for 9 years. May you rest in peace Mr. Fenn!

Though I never met Forrest, I felt I had always known him. What a full life, adventure, love, tears, joy and opening your life to so many. Thank you for sharing ~ enjoy the next journey. Peace to all your dear family and friends.

A true blessing on Earth-he was. Clever, a leader, and apparently, he loved people more than objects. To lead many on the thrill of the chase was brilliant. Watching from afar, in the news, it was an enjoyable, real life, factual novel in action. May you be blessed, Forest, with life everlasting and may your family find peace and love as they grieve.

Forrest,
You were one of a kind! Shine on, you crazy diamond!

I am so grateful for our friendship. You were so kind, so witty, funny, generous and such a gentleman. I wish now that I’d written down every story you ever told me. To me, the hidden treasure wasn’t the most interesting thing about you, but I’m so thankful it brought us together. I’ll miss our Frito pies and eclairs. This world will not be the same without you in it. My condolences to Peggy and to your entire family.

Great legends never die - may Forrest live on forever in the hearts and minds of those he touched, too many to count ...

to the family of forrest fenn.
prays and thoughts for the family to get thru this hard time.
i started this chase when my son was struggling to survive with
major health issues. but. didnt make it. a nurse had given me
forrest fenn;s book thrill of the chase to read. and ever since then i was hooked....and when i had everything in place. ff announced the chest was found two months ago...! i hope he is placed at his fav place like it says in his book....for he is a legend ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT8BXJ4CaJo&t=56sn his own time....!

The only thing I can think to state is what Forrest said to me when my brother was killed. "Life is not fair".

Mr.forrest, the finest gentleman that I had the pleasure to meet.your stories were mesmerizing .I will see you in heaven one day. Ms.peggy, Kelly zoe and family, may the lord jesus christ be with you.

I send sincere sympathy to the family and friends, ofForrest Fenn, s great adventurer. At this dad time, may the God of tender mercies give you comfort.