Happy Birthday to R.F. “Dad” O’Rourke: Father of Mt. Tamalpais

by Laurie Thompson

“Dad” O’Rourke on Mt. Tam, 1925. Anne T. Kent California Room Collection.

February 25 will mark the 163rd birthday of Richard Festus “Dad” O’Rourke, affectionately remembered as the Father of Mt. Tamalpais, where he was a regular fixture on the hiking trails. He was also a co-founder of the Mountain Play Association serving as its vice-president from 1917 to 1934.

“Dad” O’Rourke’s birthday celebration, Feb. 25, 1927. Anne T. Kent California Room Collection.

Historian Nancy M. Skinner profiled “Dad” O’Rourke in the December 1989 issue of California Out-of-Doors:

Dad O’Rourke, Effie Easton and others at a tree planting ceremony at the conclusion of the Mountain Play “Rob Roy,” 1932. Anne T. Kent California Room Collection.

His name was “Dad” O’Rourke. Hardly anyone remembered his full name, Richard Festus O’Rourke. “Dad” lived in San Francisco with his wife and four daughters, Mabel, Florence, Claire and Myra. “Dad” was appointed ranger-in-charge for Muir Woods in 1921. He was also a committed hiker and conservationist of Mt. Tamalpais. He served as president and secretary of the Tamalpais Conservation Club and was active in the organization until his death in 1937. He was a hiking leader par excellence. Wearing black tie, carrying his knapsack and cane, he was a familiar figure on the trails of Mt. Tamalpais almost every Sunday of his adult life. In 1927, a group of his friends got together and erected a stone bench just west of Rock Spring. The inscription reads: Give me these hills and the friends I love, I ask no other heaven. To our Dad O’Rourke in celebration of his 76th birthday, February 25, 1927, from his friends to whom he showed this heaven.”

Letter to William Kent from “Dad” O’Rourke & Mt. Play secretary Effie Easton. Anne T. Kent California Room Collection.

Originally published at https://annetkent.kontribune.com.