02/23/09 Ochoco National Forest
UPDATE:
Warm weather and rain over the past week melted snow in the Ochoco National Forest which allowed a search and rescue crew to search for a missing Eugene man. Two ATV teams found the body of 73 year old Roger Huffman 1/8th of a mile north of where his SUV was found on Forest Service Road 42-102. The cause of death is under investigation, but all authorities say all evidence indicates Huffman died from the very cold winter weather.
2/16/09 Ochoco National Forest
By Doug Johnson
Monday morning search and rescue crews from both Crook and Deschutes County Sheriff Offices, looked for clues, to try and figure out what happened to 73-year-old Roger Huffman of Eugene. Huffman's Chevy Tracker had been found on US Forest Service Road 42, about four miles east of the Ochoco Ranger Station, 27 miles east of Prineville. It was out of gas.
"The chances of him sitting waiting under a tree are pretty unlikely, we're basically in the recovery mode at this time," says Sgt. Russ Wright with the Crook County Sheriff's Office.
Family members of Huffman say he had severe dementia, and would often take trips unannounced. This is the fourth trip he's taken since July. His family reported him missing February 6th. After tracking his credit card records deputies say Huffman went to Idaho, and most recently bought gas in Prineville. Last Wednesday at two am, someone reported seeing Huffman driving around in a circle in this US Forest Service neighborhood behind the Ochoco Ranger Station. The neighbor that spoke with him asked if there was any family members that he could call for Huffman, but he said that there was nobody. The neighbor gave Huffman directions back to Prineville, but Huffman's car was found about four miles to the east. The Crook County Sheriff's Office began the search Sunday, after ranch workers in the area noticed Huffman's SUV had not moved for several days.
"It had been sitting there for three days, we thought well something must be haywire," says Frank Bristow, the ranch hand who called in the vehicle.
Monday deputies and relatives searched his vehicle for receipts, to see what kind of items Huffman may have had with him. But late Monday afternoon, the search is called off until spring, when the snow begins to melt.
