Lark Isbell
September 20, 1939 – August 30, 2023
Inset and in Randy Hill’s Iconic Award Winning Photograph From the 1965 Calgary Stampede.
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was saddened by the passing of former outrider Lark Isbell after a lengthy illness on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from natural causes at the age of 83 years.
Born and raised in High River, Alberta, Lark grew up surrounded by many champion chuckwagon drivers , as well as a host of other young cowboys who competed as outriders. One of those young cowboys was Bill Richardson who worked with Lark on of the local ranches. Bill introduced Lark to the intricacies of chuckwagon racing, and in the late 1950’s Lark began competing as an outrider.
It didn’t take long for Lark to establish himself as a top outrider and soon after he was outriding for many of the top drivers of the day including Lloyd Nelson and Hally Walgenbach among many others. At the 1965 Calgary Stampede, Lark became the subject of one of the most iconic photographs in chuckwagon racing’s history. Weather and racetrack conditions at some of the worst ever – a “mud-bath” as it was described at the time. Lark got squeezed between his own horse and fellow outrider Orville Strandquist and wasn’t able to mount his horse. He held on to the lead line for nearly 100 yards being drug through the heavy mud by his horse before he couldn’t hold on any longer. He eventually let go and when a very muddy Lark Isbell got off the racetrack, Albertan staff photographer Randy Hill snapped a photo of him absolutely coated in mud. The iconic photograph won Randy Hill a Canadian Press Award for outstanding news photography, and remains one of the most recognizable chuckwagon photographs to this day.
Over his career, Lark was a mentor and a “big brother” to many young outriders who started in the 1960’s. Lark continued to outride until 1970 when job and family commitments took priority. For the next 29 years Lark served with both Highwood EMS and the High River Fire Department for 29 years. 10 of those years Lark was the Fire Chief eventually retiring in 1999. Since retiring, Lark could often be seen at the chuckwagon races in his hometown of High River.
Lark will be dearly missed by his loving wife of sixty-three years Lynne. Their children: Susan (Garth) Brookwell of High River, Mark of Calgary, Cathy (George) Palmer of High River. His memory will be cherished by his grandchildren: Katrina Brookwell (Adam Carney) and their daughter Ava Carney, Alanna Brookwell (Emile Mathys) and their son Lucas Mathys, Trey Palmer (Alexis Brochu).
A gathering to honor the life of Lark IsBell will take place on Thursday, October 5, 2023 between 1:00pm and 4:00pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 71, 25 8 Ave SE in High River, Alberta.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Lark, to the High River District Health Foundation, 560 – 9 Avenue SW, High River, AB. T1V 1B3 (highriverhealthfoundation.ca).
Arrangements in care Snodgrass Funeral Home, High River. Ph. 403-652-2222.
Lark will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Isbell family.
Billy Melville
