A loss
Gary Rayson (garayson@NMSU.EDU)
Mon, 13 May 1996 19:23:04 -0600
Greetings,
I would request a moment of silence at about 2:00 MDT for the rememberance
of notable scouter who passed away last Thursday. His name is Charles
(Chuck) Matthews. His funneral will be here in Las Cruces, NM at 2:00 PM.
Chuck moved here several years ago after retiring from an active pace in the
Colorado Springs area. For many of us here, he was the personification of
Scouting. I would not venture to even try to list his accomplishments. I
know they are many and I am certain I would omit several in my ignorance. I
do know that Chuck was influential in the development of the Backpacking
merit badge (and continued to act as the councilor for it as long as he was
physically able, I understand).
I, personnally, can only hope to approach the standard which Chuck set
before in terms of a long life in accordance with the ideals of the Scout
Oath and Law.
One rememberance. Several years ago, our district organized a camporee
which was based on the scout skills of "yesterday". The theme was "A
Baden-Powell Camporee". As a part of that weekend, Chuch agreed to dress in
a ca. 1915 scout uniform (yes it was authentic) and act out the part of B-P.
Needless to say, he was a _great_ hit with the scouts (and a few scouters as
well). If you have ever been in southern New Mexico in May, you will
realize the magnamity of his act by dressing in that all wool uniform (there
were more eyes watching him than just the scouts). To this day, there are
scouts who refered to Chuck as "Baden-Powell".
If there are any others out there in "net land" that had the privilidge to
know Chuck Matthews, I doubt that many would deem it a waste of bandwidth to
share a story or two. If you would prefer to not respond to the list, I
would be happy to compile any stories and pass them on to his son who lives
here in Las Cruces.
My appologies for rambling on for so long.
Yours in Scouting
Gary Rayson
Gary Rayson
Associate Professor of Chemistry
New Mexico State University
Box 30001, Dept.3C
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(505) 646-5839
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