2015 Founders Day Dinner - May 2

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL

FOUNDER’S DAY DINNER

OF THE

OTIS H. CHIDESTER SCOUT MUSEUM

OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA

MAY 2, 2015

6:30  P.M.

VISCOUNT SUITE HOTEL

4855 E. BROADWAY BLVD.

TUCSON, ARIZONA

PROGRAM

Invocation:                                                                                                                 

Pledge of Allegiance:                                                                                                                         

DINNER

The Legacy of Otis H. Chidester:       Board of Directors of the

            Otis H. Chidester Scout

Museum of Southern Arizona.                                

Presentation of the 2015                     Board of Directors of the

Otis H. Chidester Memorial                Otis H. Chidester Scout

Awards:                                              Museum of Southern

            Arizona         

Reflections from the 2015                              

recipients:    

Dr. Everett Gibson and  Bonnie Gibsson

Jim Nelson       

Otis Chidester on April 19, 1994, with his own 1924 Scoutmaster UniformDistinguished Eagle Scout Otis H. Chidester became a scout on September 8, 1912, in Susquehanna, PA.

At the time of his death 84 1/2 years later, he was our nation's senior scout in continuously registered and still active service.

He founded the Otis H. Chidester Scout Museum of Southern Arizona in 1984.  The Museum's purpose is to collect, preserve, and exhibit items, documents, photographs, and memorabilia relating to the Boy Scout movement, with special emphasis on Southern Arizona.

Besides his lifelong dedication to the Boy Scouts of America, Otis was, among other activities, a teacher of graphic arts at Tucson High School, a lay leader of Catalina United Methodist Church, a past president of the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society, a missionary to the Seri Indians of Mexico, the senior member of The Tucson Corral of Westerners, and a 72 year member of the Masonic Order.

EVERETT GIBSON, D.O.  and  BONNIE GIBSON

Bonnie Gibson graduated from Bemidji State University (Minnesota) in 1975.  She received a Masters Degree from the University of Arizona in 1976.  Her daughter Erin was active in the Girl Scouts of America and later was an Explorer in the Boy Scout program.  Her son Paul earned his Eagle Scout rank in Catalina Council and was awarded the Vigil Honor degree from the Order of the Arrow.  Bonnie was a Girl Scout leader for 6 years, 1980-1986.  In the Boy Scout program, she served as Cub Scout Commissioner in the Fort Lowell District and was the Catalina Council Pow Wow Co-Chairman for two years.  She was an Explorer Crew Leader at Philmont Scout Ranch, 1993.  She was a handicraft counselor  at Camp Lawton during the summer of 1997.  She received the Fort Lowell District Award of Merit and, in 1990, she received the Catalina Council Silver Beaver Award.  She is an artist who specializes in the carving of  gourds and conducts classes in this field.  She served as a National Park Service Artist in Residence in 2010.

Everett Gibson, D.O. received his medical degree on June 4, 1955.  He practiced Family Medicine and Emergency Mediciine in Tucson for 40⁺ years.  Before he retired in 1998, he was  President of the Tucson General Hospital Medical Staff, 1969-1970, and was President of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association, 19663-64.  He earned his Eagle Scout Badge in 1948.  During his long career as a scouting volunteer in Catalina Council, he was Cubmaster of Pack 100 for 2 years, Scoutmaster of Troop 208 for 3 years, and Scoutmaster of Troop 007 for 3 years.  He was Old Pueblo District Chairman, 1969-1970, and served on the Catalina Council Executive Board, 1969-2002.  He earned his Wood Badge Beads on July 29, 1970, and served on 6 Wood Badge staffs, twice as Scoutmaster.  He was camp physician at Camp Lawton during the summer of 1997.  He was Scoutmaster of Catalina Council’s Troop 741 at the 1993 National Jamboree.  He received the Old Pueblo District Award of Merit for 1972, and he received the Catalina Council Silver Beaver Award for 1974.

The 1937 E. Blacklidge home of Otis and Martha Chidester after the garage had been added (circa 1950)

JIM NELSON

Jim Nelson was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin.  As a Cub Scout, he earned the highest rank, including what is now called the Arrow of Light.  As a Boy Scout, he achieved the rank of Life Scout and was just four merit badges short of those needed for the rank of Eagle.  In high school, he participated in football, basketball, and track.  During the Vietnam War period, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, from which he retired after more than 20 years.  All three of his sons have been active in the Boy Scout program.  Jim, himself, has served as Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Unit Commissioner, District Commissioner, Troop Committee Chairman, Chartered Organization Representative, and District Committee Member.  He was Catalina Council Pow Wow Co-Chairman, 1983.  He has served as Co-Chairman or Chairman of multiple Old Pueblo District Pinewood Derbies. He has organized almost thirty Cub Scout Packs, 7 Boy Scout Troops, and 1 Venture Crew in the Old Pueblo District.  Jim received the Old Pueblo District Award of Merit, and the Catalina Council Silver Beaver Award for 2005.       

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE

OTIS H. CHIDESTER MEMORIAL AWARD

1998:     Edward F. Ronstadt  (Deceased

1999:     Roy P. Drachman     (Deceased)

                                2000:     Charles H. Farrell     (Deceased)

2001:     Virginia Sugg Furrow, M.D. (Deceased)

2002:     David Ray Brown

2003:     William H. White   (Deceased)

2004:     Luis D. Romero

2005:     Joyce Coon and Bill Coon  (Deceased)

William Garbell  (Deceased)

2006:     C.L. "Stub" Ashcraft, Jr.  (Deceased)

Richard W. Hughes

                                                Dr. Franklin D. Rollins  (Deceased)

2007:     John G. Pacheco

2008:     Richard Bartholomew 

                                                Douglas G. Wright

2009:     Roy J. Barker, Ph.D. (Deceased)

                                                Colonel Alan B. Thomas

                                                Chip Travers

2010:     Richard Myers

David Roberts

2011:     Mike George  (Deceased)

                                                David Gibeault, M.D.

A. C. “Chuck” Moyer, II

2012       Jack Marcy

                                                Todd Scholer

                William “Bill” Taylor, Jr.

2013:     David German

                Steve Mayer

                Michael D. Maynard

2014.      Ralph Coltrin 

                                                Charles “Butch” Farabee

                                    BOARD OF DIRECTORS  -  2015

CURATOR:                          Luis D. Romero

PRESIDENT:                       James B. Klein, M.D.

VICE  PRESIDENT:           Todd Scholer

TREASURER:                     Dr. James Gruhl

SECRETARY:                     Gowher R. Jamshedi

DIRECTORS:                      Robert Favuzza

                                        Suzanne Flax

                                         Michael D. Maynard

                                       John Pacheco

Martha and her two “kids” (baby goats) April 1948

OTIS H. CHIDESTER SCOUT MUSEUM

OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA

1937 E. Blacklidge Drive

Tucson, AZ  85719

(520)  326-7669  /  (520) 795-9484    www.azscoutmuseum.com