Chuck Gandy and I were the same age growing up through elementary school, junior high and high school. He lived just blocks from our house in College Park. Although we haven't seen each other a lot in the last 30 years, we have stayed in touch through periodic Christmas cards, phone calls and emails. This evening he sent the following email.
My dad (Charles Gandy Sr.) recounted a story this past weekend of one of our Troop 228 WV camping trips (bacpacking, I think, circa 1969), where a BEAR came into camp at 3 AM, and un-latched the bear-proof trash cans :-) which the Park Rangers had buried in concrete with heavy lids. Our dads were tenting together. They had to dress, roll out, stare down the bear with flashlights, and make a racket so it'd leave. They endangered themselves to protect us. Typical, for our fathers.
Aside from my own father and grandfathers, there is no man who has had a more pronounced, positive influence on my life than C. Wm. Fischer, Scoutmaster, BSA Troop 228, College Park MD. I still remember the first time my misbehavior needed discipline, and your dad made me dig a 3 ft cube trash pit. I rapidly learned a good lesson. Once completed, I was fully forgiven, and back in the fold. Well, I was never really pushed out of the fold --just encouraged to do better.
I remember clearly the charge he gave me at my Life Scout Court of honor. He focused on life, living, making a life for ourselves. Made an impression on a 14 year old, which I still carry today 39 years later. Positive encouragement. Your dad has that way about him.
I wish Bill the best on this final lap in his journey. If he is up to listening, please read him this story. And I send my love to Betty, Mark, Ruth, Beth, Becca, spouces, and offspring. What a fantastic man your husband/dad/grampa is!
Chuck Gandy
Great Meadows NJ
with happy memories from Camp Clark, WV.
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