Joe Maierhauser, who managed Colossal Cave Mountain Park for the last five decades, died Wednesday. He was 79.
Maierhauser, whose efforts helped transform the 495-acre park into a 2,030-acre nationally acclaimed attraction, died in hospice care Wednesday morning after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago, said his wife, Martie Maierhauser.
His death took Martie Maierhauser by surprise, she said, because up until about a month ago, he had been doing well.
"We were looking forward to throwing a party for his 80th birthday on March 23, but literally from one night to the next morning he became very ill and was in a lot of pain," she said.
Martie Maierhauser looked after her husband for about a week and then he was taken to Tucson Medical Center, she said. A week later, he went into hospice were he remained for the last 11 days until he died.
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Maierhauser had been diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome, a very unusual cancer that is usually slow-growing, his wife said.
Maierhauser, who was born in South Dakota, began managing the park in 1956, and as soon as he saw it, he had big plans, Martie Maierhauser said.
"He knew it was a place that was so special and fragile that needed to be protected," she said. "Especially in those days. Nobody thought about what we see now — how the desert is in many places disappearing. It wasn't thought of because there were fewer of us, but he knew better."
Colossal Cave Mountain Park, which is owned by Pima County, now features a working ranch, a riparian area, a museum and a library.
Maierhauser is survived by his wife and a son, Joe, of South Dakota. He also leaves behind two granddaughters and his brother, Francis, also of South Dakota.
A celebration of his life will be held on his birthday, March 23, at the cave headquarters ramada at 6:30 p.m.
For information on the history of Colossal Cave Mountain Park, go to www.colossalcave.com.
