Ray Zillmer

He was also instrumental in the conservation of land in the Kettle Moraine of southeast Wisconsin and had an indirect role in the creation of the National Trails System.

[2] Ray Zillmer graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1910, having served for a year as Vice-President of the Commonwealth Club.

Published papers associated with his PhD work included: He practiced law in Milwaukee from 1914 until his death in 1960.

[10] He held several leadership positions in the field of law, including: During the 1930s-'40s, Zillmer became an accomplished and respected explorer and mountaineer.

In July, 1934 Zillmer was part of a team of five mountaineers who completed the first ascent of Anchorite Peak, British Columbia, Canada.

In the summer of 1938, he and Lorin Tiefenthaler retraced the steps of Alexander MacKenzie's 1792-93 expedition between the Fraser and Bella Coola rivers, through part of what is today Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park.

[21] Without his efforts the Kettle Moraine State Forest would not be as large as it is today[22] and the Ice Age Trail would not exist.

[30] In 1933 the Wisconsin Izaak Walton League named Zillmer "Man of the Year" for his work on the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

[1] In 1959 he was presented a plaque by the National Campers and Hikers Association for his efforts to preserve natural areas for public use.