Retired California State Park ranger Wesley Cater succumbed to leukemia at age 92 in Morro Bay on February 13, 2018.  His various career ranger assignments, from 1949 through 1980 included California's deserts, beaches and historical monuments. Transfers to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park included periods in the forties, fifties and the sixties, when he was Park Superintendant from 1965 to 1968. He was instrumental in establishing the Anza-Borrego Foundation in 1967. In 1968 he left Borrego to become the Superintendent at Hearst Castle.

 

Wes was the State Park Superintendent in Borrego Springs in 1966 when he endured some political and professional strife as Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers were attempting to organize the laborers at DiGiorgio Farms. The unionizing of the workers was not well received locally by those with political and financial influence.  Their pressure was successful in moving the Chavez camp out of Christmas Circle and discouraging lodging at local motels.  Sheriff's deputies made some arrests of the organizers during confrontations that unfolded near the vineyards.  Eventually, Chavez and the organizers found refuge at the State Park's Borrego Palm Canyon campground where Wes took an unpopular stand, advising a local influential business leader and developer that the park was open to everyone, including labor organizers. 

Wes will be long-remembered for his love of California, the Anza-Borrego desert, and our state's natural beauty.  He shared many of his park stories and history with his friends and family that will be forever treasured.

 

He was predeceased by his wife, Celeste, in 2017 and is survived by his four children, Kathy, Ken, Chris and Carolyn.

Editor's Note: Ken Cater is a Camp Host at The Springs at Borrego, a graduate of Borrego Springs High School, and an expert on the history of Borrego Springs.