Jim Brandenberg

National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and environmentalist Jim Brandenburg died last week at age 79. While the art and nature world last week lost a legendary creator, Rock County residents who knew Brandenburg lost a native son. “I don't think about Jim first as the famous wildlife photographer that he became,” said Randy Creeger, who grew up with Brandenburg in Luverne. “I think of him…

It was 1992. I was a young pup reporter for the Rock County Star Herald and was assigned to cover speakers for the Luverne School’s 125th anniversary. I sat with hundreds of folks on the courthouse lawn listening as dignitaries and others extolled the wonders of Luverne. Then it was Jim Brandenburg’s turn to speak. I waited for him to talk about the Great Big World out there and the delights of…