SaddleBrooke Naturalist Jim Cloer
David Stanard
Probably more by coincidence than by design, it has been a fall season of SaddleBrooke “stars” at the Resurrection Church Men’s Breakfasts. First, in October, SaddleBrooke Community Church pastor and former NFL referee Steve Wilson was the featured speaker. Then, in November, Resurrection Church pastor and retired military chaplain, Roger Pierce, presented a program in keeping with the Veterans Day theme established for the day. And finally, on December 1, the group had no trouble focusing its attention on a program offered by SaddleBrooke Naturalist, Jim Cloer.
And no wonder, since it is apparent upon meeting him that Jim is a fascinating and engaging fellow. A SaddleBrooke resident since 1999, he was raised in the Los Angeles area. After a four-year stint in the Marine Corps, Jim enrolled at Pasadena City College where he graduated with a degree in physical education. A teaching career spent primarily at the public school level followed. There he taught everything from physical education to math, science, wood shop and computer programming. Along the way and with some help from the National Science Foundation, Jim received a Master’s Degree in Science Education from Utah State University and a Ph.D. Degree in the same field from Michigan State University.
Upon retirement, Jim’s scientific and teaching background lent themselves perfectly as he morphed into a new role as Naturalist, first at Catalina State Park and then for about the past ten years for SaddleBrooke One. As a result of this role, Jim has become well known throughout our community as he has, among other things, written newspaper articles; retrieved a variety of snakes from residents’ yards; trapped or provided traps to residents to catch a myriad of pesky creatures and planned and offered educational programs for both residents and visiting grandchildren.
The Resurrection Church Men’s Breakfasts are on the first Saturday of the month for the months of October to May. The time is 7:30 a.m. and the place is the Outreach Center at the main campus in Oro Valley. The breakfasts are planned by a five-member steering committee and four of the members of that group, Duane Hartzler, Ron McNutt, Al Toensing and Gary Zellinger, are residents of SaddleBrooke.
Resurrection Church at SaddleBrooke holds its all-denominational Sunday worship services at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. In the Vermilion Room of the SaddleBrooke One Clubhouse. All are welcome.