Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of the World Scout Movement, Chief Scout of the World          1857 - 1941

In keeping with our founder's thinking, the old Logstown District began to gather at the funeral home when one of our fellow scouters reached the end of the trail and went home. We (Beaver Valley District) have carried out this tridition since the beginning of the Beaver Valley District. This ceremony has been well received. We present a certificate (shown below) and hold a short ceremony. We need your help. Please contact one of the following people when one of our fellow Scouters passes away. Don Campbell 724-375-6016 Jeff Olson 724-417-1826 John Carr 724-443-3453

"I have gone home" B-P's Grave in Kenya The Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey offered a place for Baden-Powell, between the graves of the Unknown Warrior and David Livingstone. After careful consideration, the family declined this great honour as not conforming to B-P's expressed wishes. He was buried in the Africa he loved with full military honours accorded to his rank of Lieutenant-General and with a guard of Boy Scouts European, African and Asian. His grave in the tiny cemetery of Nyeri, Kenya, is marked by a simple stone that carries his name and the Boy Scout trail sign for the end of the trail "I have gone home."

Published: Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:38 AM EDT

Charles M. Kronk Jr.

NEW SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP

Published: Saturday, March 15, 2008 7:24 AM EDT

Charles M. Kronk Jr., 91, of New Sewickley Township, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in Family Hospice, Pittsburgh.

Born August 10, 1916, in Freedom, Pa., a son of the late Charles M. Kronk Sr. and Evau Cullen Kronk, he was a retired pipe fitter for the former J&L Steel Corp., Aliquippa Works. He was a member of the Freedom United Methodist Church and was a former Boy Scout and Boy Scout leader. He enjoyed square dancing, roller skating, family camping, outdoor yard work, bird watching and was happiest when surrounded by his family, and loved ice cream and fish. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Surviving are his loving wife of 67 years who was his high school sweetheart, Nora Ruth Kronk; four children, R. Charlene Kronk, in New Jersey; Judith Blank and her husband Glenn, Economy; William Lawrence Kronk and his wife Vicki, in Texas, and Martin Stephen Kronk and his wife Ruthanne, New Sewickley Township; grandchildren, Erin Glenn Blank, Jeffrey Charles Blank, Nora Jean Marshall and her husband Rick, Josiah Kronk, Sean Kronk, Matthew Spencer Kronk, Timothy James Kronk, Christina Marie Kronk, and Abigail Joyce Kronk, and great-grandchildren, Connor Marshall and Shannon Marshall.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William, Richard and Donald Kronk.

There was no public visitation. A memorial service will be conducted today at 10 a.m. in the Freedom United Methodist Church, 3rd Avenue, Freedom.

Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Family Hospice, 301 Bellevue Road, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the JOHN SYKA FUNERAL HOME INC., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.

Raymond O.D. Whitt, Jr.

July 11, 1929 – February 14, 2008

Raymond O.D. Whitt, Jr., of Guntersville, AL and Atlanta, GA, passed to his heavenly home on Thursday, February 14, 2008.  He passed peacefully, surrounded by family.  Born July 11, 1929, in Huntsville, AL, he was the son of Raymond O.D. Whitt, Sr., and Willie Pearl Gautney Whitt.

Ray was a member of the Decatur High School (Decatur, Alabama) class of 1947, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and a drummer in the marching band.  He was also elected to the varsity cheerleading squad as a part of the very first co-ed team.  He worked his way through college at Auburn as a co-op student with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, TN.  He was a proud graduate of Auburn University where he obtained his Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1951.  He excelled at Auburn, graduating as the outstanding honor student, and voted by his class as the Most Likely to Succeed.  He was inducted into the honorary fraternities Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu.  While at Auburn, he also participated in intramural gymnastics and as a softball pitcher. 

Ray Whitt had an outstanding career with Westinghouse Electric Corporation.  After training in Pittsburgh, his career began in Atlanta, GA in 1951, and he retired in December 1991 after just over 40 years of service.  Ray was recognized as a global contributor to electrical codes and standards in the area of switchgear and controlgear thereby making the use of electrical power safer for us all.  From 1951 through February of 1962 he was in Atlanta, and over the course of the next 5 years transferred to Lima, Ohio, St. Louis, MO, Monroeville, PA, and Chicago, IL.  He was an engineering section manager in Beaver, PA from 1967 to 1981 when he became the manager of Applications, Codes and Standards at the Westinghouse Technology Center in Pittsburgh, PA. 

He was a gifted teacher who, throughout his industrial career, gave many seminars and lectures in North America and throughout the world.  His travels included China, Japan, Australia, South Africa, South America, the Middle East and Europe.  He was a key participant in many committees of organizations producing safety standards such as the National Electrical Code of the National Fire Protection Association, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and many more.

As a member of the IEC, he represented the interests of the United States on matters of the electrical code and understood well the tension and politics of international negotiation.  He was held in very high esteem by his colleagues globally due to his extensive knowledge, his willingness to share that knowledge, and his drive to be of service.  He was an annual participant at the International Fair for Electrical Equipment in Hannover, Germany where he contributed to the introduction of many new products.  He held several patents.

His passing will be mourned by his colleagues of the Westinghouse & Eaton Corporations who remember him so well for his contributions, integrity and loyalty, for his wit and southern charm, and for his overall helpfulness.  It was a pleasure to work and travel with him.  The community in Beaver will also remember him for his leadership in the Boy Scouts of America.

Ray was the recipient of the prestigious George W. Westinghouse Award upon his retirement in 1991.  Among his numerous commendations over the years, he was recognized and appreciated for his professionalism in dedicated service and leadership in support of the United States Low Voltage Distribution Equipment Industry, by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).

Following his retirement, the Whitts returned to Alabama to reside near Lake Guntersville.  Once again, Ray Whitt immersed himself in the community and became active in the Lions Club, ROMEOS (retired old men eating out), and in various groups associated with the Guntersville First United Methodist Church.  He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed taking his grandchildren fishing.  He also resumed his interest in woodworking.

Ray Whitt was known to be a selfless volunteer who shared of himself throughout his life.  As a young engineer, he served as a Junior Achievement sponsor.  Later, he served as an advisor and Scoutmaster of Troop 766 in Beaver, PA, and was selected for the Order of the Arrow.  He participated in Canoe Trails with Post 488, and took canoeing trips with his sons into the lakes of northern Canada.  In his later years, he volunteered his time by driving local residents to dialysis, and taking at-risk youth canoeing to allow the children to experience the joy of paddling for the first time.

Ray Whitt had an interest in genealogy and strongly supported the local historical societies.  He served as President of the Tennessee Valley Chapter Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution, and was also a member of the Alabama Society Descendants of George Washington’s Army at Valley Forge.  He was Charter member of the First Families of the State of Alabama.

Ray was recognized as a “Golden Eagle” by Auburn University, and was an ardent supporter of college athletics.  And, although a southerner through and through, he followed the Pittsburgh Steelers in football.  Most recently, Ray was an enthusiastic and faithful fan of Little League Baseball and often watched his grandsons play at Frankie Allen Park.  Ray was also highly encouraging of educational excellence and instilled a love of learning in his children and grandchildren.

Ray Whitt was the beloved husband of Betty Faye Julian Whitt, and the two would have soon celebrated their 56^th year of marriage.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, two sisters and many cousins.  His children include Lynda Whitt Chapman of Atlanta, GA, David Raymond Whitt of Springfield, VA, and Daryl Julian Whitt of Simpsonville, SC.  His daughters-in-law are Jennifer George Whitt and Laura Howard Whitt, and his grandchildren include Kaitlin Lee Whitt, Gabrielle Elise Whitt, John Carter Chapman, Jonathan David Whitt, Garrett Whitt Chapman, Sarah Katherine Whitt, Thomas Ryland Chapman and Benjamin Howard Whitt.   

Ray Whitt will be remembered as a big man with a big heart, forever loving, forever generous.  He had big blue eyes that sparkled and an engaging personality.  He was a man of faith, successful in business and devoted to his family.  He was adored by his children and grandchildren.  He was an active participant in the lives of others, as a teacher, mentor, friend and father, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Kenneth Tyson Nagie, Sr.


There will be a 'Gone Home' service for Kenneth Tyson Nagie, Sr., at 7:15 PM on Friday, January 11, 2008 at the Warren C. Pinkerton funeral home in Avalon, PA. 

The funeral home address is 1014 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, and their phone number is 412-766-5600.  Mr. Nagie was an active member of Troop 405 in Baden for over 25 years.

Kenneth Tyson Nagie, Sr., of Economy Borough, passed away in his sleep early Tuesday, January 8, 2008 of heart failure.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Gail of 38 years, and a son, LCDR Kenneth Tyson Nagie, Jr., USCG of Alexandria, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Elda Nagie of McCandless Township.

Kenneth was an architect for more than 45 years, a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Syria Shrine Temple, Scottish Rite, John E. Mair Lodge #729, and a fellow in the Construction Specifications Institute. He was a member of the Scout Committee for Boy Scout Troop 405 in Baden, a member of the American Legion and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the ORION C. PINKERTON FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1014 California Ave., Avalon. Following his wishes, a memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.