Farewell to Longtime FMR Staffer Gabe Ormsby

After 10+ years of dedicated service to Friends of the Mississippi River, Gabe Ormsby is moving on. Hired originally as its office manager in 1998 when the organization had just three employees, Gabe has played an integral role in FMRs growth and success. Many FMR members and volunteers will recognize Gabe as the sender of this monthly e-newsletter — Mississippi Messages — and as the cheerful voice answering the phone and on the voicemail message for many years.

More recently Gabe has focused his talents on developing and maintaining FMRs growing web site fmr.org and the site for our former annual event The Mississippi River Challenge. He has also been the brains behind the organization's database and has supported now seventeen staff members computer and network needs.

Gabes next career chapter leads him to the University of Minnesota (on the banks of the Mississippi) where hell pursue his passion doing web development on a full-time basis. Were going to miss Gabe, but weve noticed hes already signed-up for several volunteer projects and so we know he wont stray too far. Good luck and thanks for everything Gabe!

Upcoming Events

Thursday, May 14, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Near Broadway bridge, North Minneapolis
Saturday, May 16, 2026 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Along a Mississippi River backchannel, Otsego
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Nicollet Island, Minneapolis

Join us for Music for the Mississippi River 

Celebrate the Mississippi River and support FMR with Tina Schlieske and Molly Maher, May 30 at Dual Citizen Brewing in St. Paul.