As you all know by now, our dear friend, fellow Rotarian and ShelterBox USA Ambassador, Kent Smith passed away just a few days after he was on our
January Development Committee Conference call. Kent has been an active member of the Development Committee since it was created by our Board.
Kent had great ideas which he often enthusiastically shared with me during long discussions on the phone followed up by emails. We finally met face
to face at last year’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC. We spent a lot of time together exploring ways the Development Committee could continue
to mature into a stronger, more versatile and productive component of the USA Board.
The Partnership created between ShelterBox and Boy Scouts throughout the world really inspired him. The twelve attributes in the Boy Scouts Creed
defined his life and guided him through his recent health problems. We were both volunteers at the first major event combining the talents of the BSA and
SBUSA. The Camporall sponsored by the Three Fires Council was held last fall near Sandwich in northern Illinois. ShelterBox leadership training courses
were set up all around the Fair Grounds and Shelterbox campsites and informational locations helped the Scouts and their leaders to learn more about their
new Partner. Kent and I spent much of a beautiful fall day talking about the future of SBUSA and walking, at his slow pace, taking pictures, helping out at
each venue and welcoming the scouts as our partners. I will never forget the peacefully serene day I spent with my Friend Kent. I am very sorry that it was
the last day I would be in his presence.
In memory of Kent’s productive, fulfilling life and his gifts to us, and his Rotary District 6450 (Northern Illinois), I propose that our Development Committee,
our ShelterBox USA Board and Friends of Kent sponsor a ShelterBox in honor of the life of Kent Smith, and for his dedication to the principles of Rotary
and his passion for the ideals and dignity of ShelterBox.
Gary L. Olsen, AIA, Chair
ShelterBoxUSA, Development Committee
