Ron Treants Steps Into Retirement

Ron Treants

Farewell and thank you to the Denver Service Center (DSC) Design and Construction Division for providing me an unbelievable and satisfying 32+ year career that exceeded my expectations. I was privileged to have worked on so many worthwhile, diverse, and notable design and construction projects during my tenure at (National Park Service) NPS/DSC. I was especially humbled when asked to work, in some capacity or another, on National Historic Landmarks and a few of the most iconic structures in our park system.

After 16 years of working in the Denver private sector doing primarily rehab design work (including 6 years on my own designing mostly high-end, custom new and remodeled residences), I wanted a job that combined all my architecture, history, and travel interests into one; and I found it in the NPS! I applied and was given a temporary position in November 1988 with the NPS Rocky Mountain Region in Rod Wheaton’s Cultural Resources Division. I was supervised by Jackie Powell and worked with Rick Cronenberger as the Acting Regional Historical Architect. My contract wasn’t renewed at the end of the fiscal year for financial reasons, but at that time I was, fortunately, able to apply for and given a historical architect position with George Thorson on the Central Team at DSC in October 1989.

My DSC experience through the years has been fun, at times very exciting, and overall, very worthwhile as I bounced between being a historical and general architect, in addition to, going through many DSC organizational changes, etc. Believe it or not, I loved gathering data, formulating scopes of work, drafting task orders, being a member of technical evaluation panels, and following prescribed procedures as they provided guideposts, that mattered in either the big or small picture of things, to achieve a successful project outcome. I believe in and practice sustainability, energy efficiency, renewal/recycling, climate change impacts, and universal design. I’m so happy to see that most, if not all, of these items are being addressed, incorporated, and integrated into our work processes as a norm now along with a more diverse global approach to problem solving.

I was so fortunate during my career to have crossed paths with so many brilliant minds and wordsmiths that brought powerful leadership skills, advice, and consul to a project which made me a better person.

I wore many different hats during my career from architect, designer, and planner to Architect/Engineer (A/E) manager, Contracting Officer Representative (COR), Construction Management Representative (CMR), and construction inspector and was lucky enough to be involved with projects from start (planning and/or design) through the finish (construction). As a team player and especially as a licensed architect, being able to easily formulate ideas and develop options to solve project problems was an asset. I must admit I’ve always considered myself to be outgoing and friendly, but with a mild-mannered and patient personality who avoided the spotlight. Besides serving me well, I always thought those traits or ways were the most effective and comfortable for me.

I wish to highlight some memorable (I have no favorites) new and rehabbed projects of mine plus acknowledge just a few of the many individuals/colleagues who are worthy of mention and who were influential during my career (not in any particular order):

• Vanderbilt National Historic Site (New York), rehab the exterior of the Mansion, 2 phases, 1st phase mid 2010’s & 2nd phase mid-2010’s to 2020 {estate in Hyde Park overlooking the beautiful Hudson River Valley
• Cane River Creole National Historical Park (Louisiana), part of the team that recommended creation of the park and a heritage area, early 1990’s {followed by rehab of the main plantation and various outbuildings throughout the park
• San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Texas), new visitor center located at Mission San Jose, opened in 1996. {my longest career project and best town visited
• Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (Texas), rehab vacant VA hospital into park visitor center, early to mid-1990’s {area famous for their chicken fried steak and fire ants
• Independence National Historical Park (Pennsylvania), the exterior rehab of the Independence Hall Tower including the clock faces & internal workings, late 2000’s to early 2010’s, {National Historic Landmark & dominating feature of Independence Hall and, of course, cheese steaks
• Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), construction inspector for a 2nd phase of employee housing, mid-1990’s {detailed to the park for 1 ½ years with many flights & sunsets over the canyon
• Gateway National Recreation Area (New York), rehab 2nd floor of the Fort Wadsworth unit into an educational experience for elementary age students and a new educational center at the Great Kills unit, late 1990’s to early 2000’s {first of many other projects in and around New York City
• Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona), exterior & interior rehab of the Painted Desert Inn and 2 outlining quest quarters which made the Inn into a museum and gift shop. Also, included the restoration of the historic Fred Kobotie interior murals, early to mid-2000’s {Interiors by Mary Colter when the Fred Harvey Co. ran the Inn, late 1940’s/early 1950’s
• Independence National Historical Park (Pennsylvania) the exterior rehab of the Merchants’ Exchange Building, early 2010’s to mid-2010’s {2015 PA Preservation Award winner
• Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming), assessed the condition of all the concession buildings in all the park areas and produced reproduction costs showing property value for the next concessions contract renewal proceedings, early 2000’s {subsequent project work included site planning for future employee housing
• New River Gorge National River (West Virginia), 1st part – Stabilize Nuttall Mine Structures (tipple, conveyor, & headhouse) and 2nd part – Nuttallburg Visitor Access & Appreciation Improvements (base area, trails, & wayside interpretation), mid-2000’s to mid-2010’s {remote, rugged terrain, and with site accessibility & logistics issues making work difficult for the contractors
• Assateague Island National Seashore (Maryland), new park visitor center, mid-2000’s to early 2010’s {Island home to the famous wild horses
• Glacier National Park (Montana), assessed the condition of all concession buildings in the park and produced a report requested by Congress, field work conducted in the winter of December/January, 1989/1990. {first DSC project

I haven’t counted up all the projects I had or trips made, but I’m sure the number is in the hundreds. However, I can say I had projects in at least 27 states and Canada during the course of my career.

I always thought it important to interact with co-workers outside the office as a way to know and relate to them better. So, I’m certainly going to miss running the Wednesday golf group at the Foothills/ Homestead courses and project team fellowship. The people I have the privilege of working with made a difference and brought me joy and admiration for their dedication and, like myself, strong belief in the NPS mission.

As my retirement is upon me and I embark on the next phase of my life, I plan to live each day to the fullest with meaningful purpose, continue my architectural practice, and partake in other enjoyable pursues/passions like road trips, golf, and hobbies like photography, genealogy, and graphic arts. I’m, with more time available, looking ahead to re-engaging with friends, family, bike riding, hiking, relaxing in the great state of Colorado, and updating my townhouse.

I will continue to live in my Lakewood, CO residence with some of my time, each year, spent in Monterey Peninsula, CA, Scottsdale/Payson, AZ, and on the road. I can be reached at [e-mail].