Tom Hough Expedition
Thomas Alan Hough (1936-1977) was born in western Kansas during the Great Depression. He graduated from Medicine Lodge High School in 1954. After attending Southwestern College, Hough was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1960. He began his military service as a cook, and eventually joined the 101st Airborne Division. As a paratrooper, Hough was stationed in various places, including the Philippines.
After the Army, Hough studied journalism at the University of Kansas before accepting a position at United Press International (UPI) in Cheyenne. This job brought him to Wyoming, a state he had long wanted to explore because of its outdoor recreational opportunities. After leaving UPI in 1968, Hough worked for three years as editor and publisher of the Jackson Hole Guide. He accepted the position of Assistant Managing Editor of the Casper Star-Tribune in 1971.
In addition to overseeing the production of the daily newspaper, Hough wrote a popular outdoor column called “’Headin Out’ with Tom Hough,” which ran every Friday. Hough chronicled his adventures exploring the state both in print and with his own photographs, which featured prominently in his column and in other sections of the Star-Tribune.
Always ready for a challenge, Hough scaled the Grand Tetons and climbed Devil’s Tower three times, taking photos during ascent and descent. Mountain climbing, hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor adventures featured prominently in ‘Headin’ Out.’ Hough also included anecdotes from his personal life in his column, including stories about his large extended family and his young children.
Tom Hough died in an automobile accident west of Dubois, Wyoming on July 15, 1977. He was 41 years old.
Credit to: Headin’ Out: The Work of Tom Hough
More on Tom, his expeditions, and his collection:
NIC to feature work of former Casper newspaper editor in exhibit - Casper, WY Oil City News
NIC to Feature Over 100 Wyoming Outdoor Photographs by Tom Hough
