Shooting Sports Complex Renamed for Sykes

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners, at their meeting March 9 in Lincoln, renamed the shooting sports complex at Platte River State Park the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex.

Sykes, of Louisville, passed away on Dec. 13, 2011, following a sudden illness. He was the park’s only superintendent.

“We fondly called him the mayor of Platte River State Park,” Game and Parks Director Rex Amack said. “It was impeccable the way he left the grounds. His style of perfection was unique to him, but he spread that style throughout the state in the parks system.”

Sykes’ family was on hand as Amack read a proclamation stating, in part, that the renaming of the shooting sports complex will “serve as a lasting memorial to his legacy.”

The newly developed shooting sports complex opened in 2011 to connect Nebraskans of all ages and skills levels to the heritage of outdoor sports.

“It’s an honor and privilege to have Roger remembered this way,” Sykes’ wife, Gloria, said.

Sykes, a 42-year employee of Game and Parks, became superintendent at the then-new Platte River State Park, located near Louisville, in January 1982. He was instrumental in development of the park and has been its steadfast steward.

Sykes began his Game and Parks career in June 1968 as assistant superintendent at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park (SHP) at North Platte. He became superintendent at Fort Kearny SHP near Kearney in October 1970 before moving to Platte River SP in 1982.