GUNFLINT TRAIL – No matter what time of day it was, Wayne Storch would make his daughter’s favorite meal.

“I’m embarrassed to say what it is,” Wayne’s daughter, Ashley, said Sunday from a local restaurant in Grand Marais. “But we called it shit on a shingle.”

The entrée Ashley mentioned is a military slang term for a gravy mixture served over toast. It’s been a fixture in U.S. military cookbooks dating back to the early 1900s. It’s something her father, a former cook in the Marine Corps, would make for her often. Right now, Ashley says she is hopeful her Dad will be back to make her the meal at least one more time. Wayne was reported missing Sept. 18. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office located his vehicle parked on the side of the Gunflint Trail at the Pine Mountain Lake trailhead Sept. 24 after a local photographer reported it to the authorities. The vehicle hadn’t moved in many days, which is unusual for the small parking area about 12 miles up the Trail.

“We’re hopeful he’s still alive,” Ashley said of her father.

Wayne Storch. Submitted photo

Wayne, a 74-year-old man from New Richmond, Wisc., is believed to be somewhere in the vicinity of Pine Mountain Lake, a small trout lake used most commonly in winter by ice anglers. Cook County Search and Rescue, the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, the U.S. Forest Service, and other assisting agencies spent time over the past week looking for him. They looked near Pine Mountain Lake and nearby Pickerel Lake, which is close to Elbow Lake. They combed ridgelines and bogs and remote timber. Nothing turned up despite the extensive searches.

“Everyone worked really hard, and we appreciate everyone’s help,” said Joey Biener, Ashley’s partner, who lives in Hinckley, Minn.

Joey and Ashley shared stories about Wayne Sunday afternoon just before they headed south and back toward their lives and responsibilities waiting near Hinckley. There are children waiting, and pets, and work, Joey said calmly. They were both active participants in the search for Wayne during the past week up the Gunflint Trail. Joey’s arms were noticeably scratched in numerous places. A small bug was crawling on Ashley’s wrist Sunday afternoon while they regrouped before heading home.

“I don’t even know what kind of bug that is,” she said. “Got on me up in the woods I guess?”

The stories they shared of Wayne all focused on his kindness and general way of being considerate of others. Wayne is a very religious person, they both agreed. He’s visited the Gunflint Trail for about 30 years, often for spiritual reasons, Ashley said.

“It’s where he connected to God,” she said.

Joey and Ashley said Wayne didn’t leave much in the way of a note before he left for the Gunflint Trail. He did leave his cellphone behind, which is unusual, Ashley said. He likely has no water, food, or camping gear, Joey observed. Authorities shared a message Wayne scrawled on the back of a bank receipt in the days before he parked on the Gunflint Trail. “Gunflint: 11.6,” it reads. Joey assumes it has something to do with the parking pullout for Pine Mountain where Wayne’s vehicle was located about a dozen miles up the Gunflint Trail, though he can’t be sure.

Joey and Ashley spoke numerous times Sunday afternoon about the hard work put in by the local search and rescue organizations. Among the many people looking for him, St. Louis County Rescue Squad member Dave Drozdowski had dogs assisting with the search. Ed Belmore, a law enforcement officer with the U.S. Forest Service, was also in the woods looking for Wayne. The list of names for people to thank was too many to share in a short conversation, Joey said.

Joey and Ashley slept in their car in a parking area at a wayside rest near Grand Marais along Highway 61 while searching for Wayne during recent days. They hope by sharing stories about Wayne it will help to find him, they said.

If you have any information about Wayne Storch, contact the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at (218) 387-3030.