Memorial to honor Wyoming poet missing in Japan

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A memorial service is planned at the University of Wyoming on Wednesday in honor of missing poet Craig Arnold.

Arnold went missing April 26 while hiking on a volcano on a tiny island in Japan. The University of Wyoming professor was traveling the world and collecting observations for a book about volcanoes.

English Department chairman Peter Parolin says the department is "sad and sadly resigned" to the fact that Arnold isn't going to return.

Arnold's longtime girlfriend, Rebecca Lindenberg, says she hopes the upcoming memorial service and readings of Arnold's work will help bring a sense of closure.

Arnold published two award-winning collections of poetry. He was in Japan through an exchange fellowship.

Arnold earned a doctorate in creative writing from the University of Utah in 2001.