#15: Bob DeGross

As Voyageurs National Park marks its 50th anniversary, Superintendent Bob DeGross is celebrating a milestone of his own. After 36 years with the National Park Service – including the last nine as leader of Voyageurs – DeGross officially retired at the end of May 2025, leaving behind a legacy shaped by vision, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public lands.

A native of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, Bob’s path to stewardship was guided early on by the words of Sigurd Olson and Aldo Leopold, whose reverence for the northern woods helped shape his own “sixth sense” for the natural world. That intuitive connection drove a distinguished career across national parks from Mammoth Cave to Big Cypress, and eventually brought him home to the border waters of northern Minnesota.

At Voyageurs, DeGross led with both head and heart. His tenure saw major park milestones: the launch of the Voyageurs Wetland Restoration Project, certification as an International Dark Sky Park, and the long-awaited Crane Lake Visitor Center – a decades-old community dream that he helped make real. He believed in planting seeds, often championing projects that would grow beyond his own time in the role.

His belief in community connection ran deep. From navigating complex policy with empathy to supporting youth education through the joint education program with Voyageurs Conservancy, including launching the Mobile Classroom and Field Fellows programs, Bob worked to ensure that Voyageurs was not just a place to visit, but a place to belong, for local residents, students, and future generations.

Under Bob’s guidance, the park not only became more accessible, but more visible locally, nationally, and even internationally. He built bridges across borders with partners and parks in Canada, Indonesia, and Guatemala, all while never losing sight of the view from Rainy Lake.

As he reflects on his time with the Park Service, Bob is most proud of the people, the passionate, hardworking staff and partners who, like him, care deeply for this place. Though he’s stepping down, he’s not stepping away. Bob will remain in International Falls, ready to enjoy the park not as its superintendent, but as one of its biggest fans.

Bob DeGross leaves behind not just a list of accomplishments, but a legacy of integrity, foresight, and genuine care for people and this place as it enters its next 50 years.

Bob DeGross’ retirement will be celebrated on June 12th at Thunderbird Lodge. To RSVP and see more details, click here.

Check out the full list of our 50 legacies!

This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of Voyageurs National Park by sharing 50 inspiring stories of the people who shaped its legacy. Years, 50 Legacies is a yearlong storytelling series highlighting individuals whose lives are woven into the fabric of the park – whether through conservation work, cultural traditions, recreation, research, or personal connection.

Raise a canteen and celebrate this historic milestone with us at our 50th anniversary website. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories and updates!