Larry Thomas and Ralph Zitelman

The Camp Lowden 50th Anniversary History Committee was made up of Everett Worrell, Larry Thomas, and Ralph Zitelman. Sadly, both Larry and Ralph passed away in 1990. The first edition of The Living Legends of Camp Lowden, which was published in 1990, was dedicated to Larry Thomas (this dedication was kept in the 2006, 2010, and 2020 editions):

This book is dedicated to all of the many Scouts and Scouters who have been a part of the history of Camp Lowden. Were it possible, they would each be recognized by name. That would involve more than several thousand names and we would be bound to miss many in the listing. All of these people can be bound together in one who has served faithfully throughout the first 50 years of camp history. Larry Thomas was there when this history was started and he was there with stories and facts when the written history was first started in 1965. Larry was there, and was a part of the committee who worked on this assignment, but he died in early 1990 before the task was finished. Larry always said, "We want this history to be first rate. We want lots of pictures and it will be hard bound." We trust that all of Larry’s hopes will one day be fulfilled.

Larry Thomas

Larry Thomas was involved in Scouting for 50 years and was Scoutmaster of Troop 23 in Rockford for more than 20 years. He was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow and a Silver Beaver recipient. Larry did more than talk about the Scout Oath, he lived it. Larry walked the talk. He loved the outdoors and was actively involved in other outdoor activities besides Scouting. He helped start the Midwest Voyageurs, a canoe club. Larry was also a participant throughout all of the first 50 years of Camp Lowden. He spent his life helping others and was always ready to lend a hand.

Bud Schroeder recalls,

Larry Thomas was a Scoutmaster that everyone liked. His Scouts liked him. His troop committee liked him. Other Scoutmasters liked him. I liked him.

For many years Larry Thomas and Bob Jansen saw that the Order of the Arrow totems were made. After the arrowheads were stamped out and the clips soldered to the back, Larry would take them to be plated. This task was later taken over by the Winnebago Chapter of Wulapeju Lodge (of which Troop 23 was also a member).

Larry Thomas passed away on March 9, 1990, while preparing to go on a camping trip with his Scouts. He will always be remembered as a good friend, a great Scouter, and an avid outdoorsman. His spirit will live on in the hundreds of lives he touched.

In 1992 the Winnebago District began the "Larry Thomas Award." This award was given to the person who put service before self and a Scouter who brought out the best in those people around him or her.

Ralph Zitelman

Ralph Zitelman owned and operated the Zitelman Scout Museum in Rockford on Seminary Street for many years. He and his wife Lu were very involved with the Lutheran Scouting Association and the Council Religious Retreat for many years. He would always bring his dog, Scout, to the annual U.S. Grant Pilgrimage and they would march in the parade both wearing Scout uniforms. After he passed away the contents of his museum were purchased by the Ottawa Scouting Museum in Ottawa, Illinois.

While a Scoutmaster, Ralph initiated the Continuous Fire. He wanted to do something during Scout week each February to celebrate the anniversary of Scouting in a special way. He wanted to do something that was totally different and that involved a lot of boys. He and his family decided to build a fire that would burn all week...a "continuous fire."

Four troops manned that first fire. In 1980 the fire became a district event, and troops signed up for 12-hour shifts. Eventually the fires were held in Sinnissippi Park. Ralph organized the fire every year until his death on December 30, 1990. Since then the fire has been organized first by Bud Dosier, and more recently by Don Reis. There are now 22 units (troops and packs) who work 8-hour shifts. In 2009 and 2010 the Continuous Fire was held at Harlem United Methodist Church in Machesney Park. It was moved because the Rock River had flooded and the area was unusable.

The 1991 Order of the Arrow Lodge Winter Banquet was dedicated to the memory of Larry Thomas and Ralph Zitelman for their faithful service to Scouting and the Order of the Arrow.