Yule F. Kilcher

[2] After the matura at Kantonsschule Solothurn, he studied comparative philology and archeology in Berlin, Bern, Grenoble, and Aix-en-Provence.

In 1939, Kilcher went back to Switzerland for a short time, intending to persuade likeminded people to emigrate to Alaska.

[1] They had eight children who were all raised on the family homestead: Mairiis "Mossy", Wurtilla Dora "Wurzy", (Linda) Fay, Attila Kuno "Atz", Sunrise Diana Irene, (Edwin) Otto, Stellavera Septima and Catkin Melody.

[10] Ruth and the children helped operate the homestead while Yule travelled to Juneau to attend the state legislature.

The governor of Alaska, at the time Tony Knowles, ordered state flags flown at half staff at the day of the funeral.

Through the trust, the 600 acres of the Kilcher homestead remains intact for future generations to grow on and improve.

[7] In her autobiographical book Chasing Down the Dawn, Jewel describes her grandfather Yule as a brilliant scholar who spoke eight languages, outdoorsman and politician.

[14] Near the end of his life, Yule regretted this behavior and was able to make amends with Atz Kilcher.

[15] Yule's youngest daughter, Catkin Kilcher Burton, served for 31 years in the United States Marine Corps and was awarded the Legion of Merit.

In 1984, the Swiss documentary film Die schwierige Schule des einfachen Lebens ("The hard school of the simple life") by Alfi Sinniger portrayed Yule Kilcher and his family.

[19] In 2012, Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) broadcast the documentary film Rousseaus Kinder – Ein Reality-Check in Alaskas Wildnis ("Rousseau's children – a reality check in Alaska's wilderness") in its series DOK, making a comparison of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's philosophy to the lifestyle of the Kilcher family.