On September 4, 2020, 62-year-old George Stephen Van Vleet, a man with a deep affection for the Alaskan wilderness, was reported missing in Dillingham, Alaska. He was on a boating trip on Aleknagik Lake, a place he had frequented and cherished for over 25 years with his brother and a close friend. That afternoon, he had set out alone in a skiff, traveling from the Aleknagik boat ramp to their cabin in Bear Bay to transport some gear. Concern grew when he did not return as expected. His unmanned skiff was later discovered in the middle of the lake, less than four miles from the landing, found turning in circles with no one on board. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a black jacket, a fluorescent green shirt, blue jeans, and hiking boots.
Immediate search and rescue efforts were launched by the Alaska State Troopers, who conducted a comprehensive search by land, air, and water. The search continued late into the night and resumed at dawn the following day. However, the efforts were hampered and eventually suspended on Saturday afternoon due to deteriorating weather conditions, including poor visibility and an approaching storm that posed safety risks to the search teams. The local community of Aleknagik also played a significant role, offering their support and assistance to the family during this distressing time. The family expressed their profound gratitude to everyone involved in the search for their beloved George.
George was described by his loved ones as a man with a big personality who had the ability to lift the spirits of everyone in a room. Friends and family remember him as a kind, happy, and positive person who would readily give the shirt off his back to help someone in need. His favorite place in the world was said to be Aleknagik, where he found joy in being on the lake, fishing, camping, and spending time in the Dillingham area. The Van Vleet family, in an effort to honor his memory and give back to the community that assisted in the search, initiated a fundraiser to provide playground equipment for a school in Bristol Bay. Despite the extensive search efforts, George Van Vleet remains missing, and the case continues to be a painful mystery for his family and friends who await answers. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance on the vast and unpredictable Aleknagik Lake serve as a somber overview of the case, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew him.
Last Seen: Sep 4, 2020
