Bend Says Goodbye To 'Oregon Field Guide' Host Steve Amen

ERTHFX | By Bradley W. Parks

Published March 18, 2017 at 9:05 AM PDT

Friday night was not short on smiles at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon. OPB members and guests from around Central Oregon said goodbye to "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen, who is retiring after 28 years on the show.

Theatergoers saw an advance screening of a "Field Guide" tribute to Amen and his contributions to OPB and the Pacific Northwest.

"You come away from a program that you've done and you feel better about yourself. You feel like you've learned more about the world ... I just want to thank you for that," one member told Amen after the show.

"Well, that's exactly how we feel," Amen responded. "You can't help but love ... it's all about heart, it's all about passion. And it's making sure we get out of their way, that we let them tell their story and we don't interfere with it. Because they're just so much better at it."

The "Oregon Field Guide" tribute to Steve Amen will air March 23 at 8:30 p.m. PST on OPB TV.

See photos from Friday's event in Bend in the slideshow above.

<p>Bend said goodbye to "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen, who is retiring after 28 years on the show. Amen addressed the crowd before the show at the Tower Theatre, Friday, March 17, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.</p> — Bend said goodbye to "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen, who is retiring after 28 years on the show. Amen addressed the crowd before the show at the Tower Theatre, Friday, March 17, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

<p>The Tower Theatre marquee gives thanks to OPB members Thursday, March 16, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.</p> — The Tower Theatre marquee gives thanks to OPB members Thursday, March 16, 2017 in Bend, Oregon.

<p>"Oregon Field Guide's" Ed Jahn and Steve Amen meet with members in the Tower Theatre lobby in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017, before the show.</p> — "Oregon Field Guide's" Ed Jahn and Steve Amen meet with members in the Tower Theatre lobby in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017, before the show.

<p>An OPB member chats with Steve Amen in the lobby of the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.</p> — An OPB member chats with Steve Amen in the lobby of the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.

<p>Is this seat taken? Reserved seat for "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen inside the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.</p> — Is this seat taken? Reserved seat for "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen inside the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.

<p>OPB members watch "Oregon Field Guide" footage at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.</p> — OPB members watch "Oregon Field Guide" footage at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.

<p>"Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen answers questions about the show, himself and the future of "Field Guide" at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.</p> — "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen answers questions about the show, himself and the future of "Field Guide" at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.

<p>The crowd laughs as audience members chat with "Oregon Field Guide's" Steve Amen and Ed Jahn at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.</p> — The crowd laughs as audience members chat with "Oregon Field Guide's" Steve Amen and Ed Jahn at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.

<p>OPB members posed for photos with "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.</p> — OPB members posed for photos with "Oregon Field Guide" host Steve Amen at the Tower Theatre in Bend, Oregon, Friday, March 17, 2017.