Volunteer Story- Ken Schlueter

Seven years ago, when Ken Schlueter starting volunteering at Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (NHT), he’d say he wasn’t a ‘history guy.’ And, having spent 38 years in finance for the Union Pacific Railroad (UP), this Omaha native certainly didn’t envision his volunteer experience with the National Park Service (NPS) would ignite a new passion for Omaha-area history! As he neared retirement, Ken looked for volunteer experiences that would help keep him connected to his community and finally settled on a pair of opportunities; one here at Lewis and Clark NHT and one with Visit Omaha, the City’s official visitor center.

Through his unique combination of volunteer work and time employed by the UP, Ken has been able to provide NPS visitors with a special perspective on the forces that have shaped the region. He is eager to ensure visitors can engage with the area’s cultural and natural history and use that history as a lens through which they can experience modern Omaha.

Ken is now a significant part of the fabric ties Lewis and Clark NHT and Visit Omaha together! Not only has he helped the two organizations collaborate on training and special events, but – even more importantly – Ken is ensuring visitors to both Omaha and the Lewis and Clark NHT get great customer service and tips about the area’s hidden gems.