OLYMPIA – State Parks Director Rex Derr announced in March that he will retire on Nov. 30.

Derr, who will be 62 in June, said he and his wife Anne want to pursue their outdoor recreation passions and spend time with children and grandchildren in other parts of the country. Derr informed the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission of his decision at the end of a public work session at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia. Derr said he announced his plans early to give the Commission time to recruit and hire a new director and to put a transition plan in place.

Derr is a lifelong parks and recreation professional, having served for 33 years with Washington State Parks. He was hired by the commission in 2002 to serve as agency director. Before coming to Washington State Parks, he was a ranger with the National Park Service.

“This timing for my retirement is just right for my wife Anne and me,” Derr said. “Our state and country are in challenging times, but I believe the state park system is in good hands. I know Washington citizens, state policymakers, the commission and staff can keep the momentum going on our Centennial 2013 goals and can keep up the standards we’ve set for a high-quality park system.”

“I am so fortunate to have had this wonderful career and so very proud to have worked with the people of Washington, the Commission and our Washington State Parks staff. We have a phenomenal team of people who really are committed to sustaining a quality park system and caring for our state’s resources,” Derr said.

In addition to his professional life with parks, Derr has been active in the local community. He is well known for his talents as a master of ceremonies at more than 100 community and state events, is a former mayor of Olympia, and was Thurston County’s 2000 Citizen of the Year.

The commission will discuss recruitment of a new director and will be working on a transition plan for the agency.