Don and Lloyd getting the Queen's Scout's Award.
Don Logan was born on 16 June 1950, in the village of Mount Hope, in Glanford, just to the south of Hamilton, Ontario. Don was part of the 6th generation of Logans to live in Glandford, and was at home on the farm kept by his parents, Robert and Bernice.
When Don was 8, he joined the 1st Mount Hope Cub Pack, sponsored by the local Lion's Club. Eventually, he moved on to the Scout Troop, along the way gaining many fond memories of Camp Nemo, Victoria Day Camps, and Scout parades; he never liked the swim gala much though. In 1968, Don was honoured, along with his long-time friend Lloyd Williams, with the designation of Queen's Scout. The ceremony took place in Waterloo, and the two friends had just started Rovers.
That fall, the 1st Mount Hope Crew joined with two other small groups - the 1st Hannon and 81st Hamilton. Together, they formed the Chippewa Thunderbird Rover Scouts. Don was a part of the Thunderbirds through his University days at Ryerson Polytechnic where he studied to become an Urban Planning Consultant, and until he met and married Elaine Curran in 1974. By that time, a lot of the guys were getting married, so the Crew disbanded. Don was also Mate of the Crew for some time. Later, Don became involved with the Group Committee of the 81st Hamilton Group, serving as Chairman for several years.
Donald James Logan was my father. He's probably the biggest reason I'm still involved as I am with Scouting and the Tunderbird Rovers. When I was a kid, I always heard about the Rovers. I even went to more than one Thunderbird Rover Reunion/Christmas party, which was an annual occurance all through the 1970s and 1980s. Somehow, Scouting was something I could always share with my dad, and in a totally self-centred kind of way, we both, felt slightly shortchanged when Scouting began shifting its focus from "father and son" to "family." Under my dad's direction, the 81st Hamilton Annual Banquet remained "father and son" longer than most other groups, even if the relative size of group and our meeting hall made that necessary. Oh, yeah... I have never liked the Swim Gala much either.
My dad died of a rare liver cancer in September of 2000, less than three weeks after it was diagnosed. Through the experience, I learned that he loved me more than he ever let on. He bestowed upon me many things, including the assurance that I will be with him again through the graciousness of Christ. He also left with me the Thunderbird Rover Scouts. May we not forget the opportunities we have to serve our communities, build relationships with our friends and families, and provide this legacy to the future.
Michael Logan
Don and Lloyd getting the Queen's Scout's Award.
