Terry Chute

Terry was born in 1953 in a small Oregon mountain community, the youngest of 5 children. He went to elementary school in Iowa and high school in Arizona. His love of the outdoors prompted him to attend Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon where he received an A.A.S. degree in Forest Technology. He followed up with additional course work in Forestry and associated courses at University of Oregon, University of Idaho and Lewis and Clark State College. 

In 1981, Terry accepted a job with the U.S. Forest Service on the Kootenai National Forest in Sylvanite, Montana. During his 28-year career with the Forest Service, his postings included stints in Arizona, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. His primary positions included forestry technician, forester, wildland firefighter, environmental planner, planning staff officer, public affairs, liaison to state government, and District Ranger. Terry retired from the Forest Service in 2008 and began working as an environmental planning consultant in 2010. 

Terry and his wife Jane Kollmeyer founded the Nate Chute Foundation in 1999 following the suicide death of their 18-year old son. Terry served as Chair of the NCF from its founding until 2021. He led the NCF through many challenges and changes over 20 years and remains involved as a board director. In addition to the NCF, Terry serves as the president of his HOA and periodically works as a planner for an environmental consulting firm. 

Terry loves spending time with his wife, German Shepherd dog and friends hiking, camping, traveling, fishing, gardening, and generally exploring the wonders of Montana and surrounding areas. Terry and Jane lived in Whitefish from 1993-2003, and currently split their time between Helena, Whitefish and southern Arizona.