Roger Kallenberg: The guy who told city arborists to take him to jail — he wasn't going to let them take the old elm.
Another sad loss for the White Rock area, Roger Kallenberg has died following a battle with a bone marrow disease.
I only learned of Kallenberg this past summer, when I become intrigued with this story about the ailing 100-year-old tree at White Rock Lake that the city had to cut down.
Kallenberg—a longtime activist in Dallas according to this Pegasus article—was the guy who started all the fuss. Here’s what he told me, via an email, about his efforts:
“A park maintenance convoy, under the direction of our city’s so-called forester Karen Woodard, came for the last 80+ year old tree to shade the Bath House. The problem: it’s still alive! Luckily, Lucy and Dinah, my dogs and I held them off by threatening to be arrested/impounded. After several phone calls they went away promising me a meeting with (Park Department personnel) before they cut it down.”
The tree came down, but some good came from the whole thing.
This feisty gentleman will no doubt be missed by his many friends, such as his fellows at Earth Rhythms, and fans—this one included.
