In Memoriam
People are motivated by many different things. Our motivation in the scouting program as youth were our older brothers, Kelly and Ryan. Kelly began our merit badge achievement tradition by earning almost three times the number required for Eagle. He continued to serve in his troop until his eighteenth birthday. Ryan followed the same example but took it one step further by earning all 119 that were available to him at the time. Roger then continued on in the tradition to earn 119 and Troy then earned 126 total. Troy's son, Christian, later earned the all with a count of 142. (The variations in numbers are attributed to introductions, discontinuations, and short-term celebratory merit badges.)
Unfortunately, in 2001 Ryan passed away tragically in an automobile accident. Since then we have endeavored to find ways to honor our brother for the example of achievement he gave to us and others around him. We feel this effort honors his example to us.
Ryan was a fabulous scout and was a great troop leader. He was always the high-spirited leader that rallied his troop. He was the leader of the patrol that consistently won camp competitions, and Ryan was always looked to for his expertise in scout skills and craft. And not only that, Ryan was also one of the scouts who started a decade-long string of Eagle Scout achievements in his troop.
The following are a few photos of Ryan as a young scout. This first photos was when he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.
This is a photo of him at camp studying plant specimens.
Another photo at camp after exiting the water.
Ryan loved all manner of bugs, creeping things, and especially snakes. Many photos of his youth include him carrying a box or can of some kind in which he collected his findings. If you look at his sash in the first photo you can see what some of his first merit badges were: Bird Study, Nature, Fishing, Reptile Study, Insect Life, etc.
Ryan loved fishing, and this is him gearing up on a troop campout.
Our home camp was Camp Black Mountain in the Mt. Baker Area Council. This is Ryan with several troopmates at the top of the Black Mountain hike.
And our favorite photo of Ryan as an adult that personifies his personality and love of life is this one taken on a rafting trip. He is the one on the left side in the sunglasses looking toward the camera. Compare his expression with the guy on the right! lol
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