Thursday, November 16, 2023
This is the letter that was sent to the Eagle Board of which Karlis was a huge part of both as a member and chair.
It is with mixed emotions that I report that one of our Eagle Board members has passed. Karlis Ulmanis was one of those scouts that always was giving back. I first met him as his Wood Badge Ticket Counselor and was immediately impressed by the detail and enthusiasm he shared for completion of his ticket items and what impact they had on his scouting experience.
Later when I was asked to serve on the Minquas Eagle Board, Karlis was the chair and I had the opportunity to work with him again. Here is where you got to see and hear his love for scouting come to life. He would hand deliver the packets to the board members always having a couple of minutes to share stories or thoughts on various topics.
He led the board in a professional yet caring manner, questioning what needed to be cleared up and giving his time freely to ensure the scouts had the Board of Review that would be memorable and meaningful for them and everyone in the audience at the court room.
After several years together, he moved up to a role in council and asked me to take his place as the board chair. He had set the bar high by example and I hope that these past years I have been able to follow in his footsteps with honor.
When I was asked to be a Wood Badge Course Director, Karlis came to my mind as a perfect person for the role of Guide on the course. He accepted the position and we worked together preparing the course, unfortunately, the course was cancelled for lack of enrollment. What a loss for a Wood Badge Patrol not to experience Karils and his expertise, and joy for scouting.
As a scout we try to live by the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan and Motto. Karils certainly was "always prepared", and as for doing a "Good Turn Daily" his dedication to scouting certainly took care of that. In spending anytime with him you knew he lived by the Scout Oath and Law. It was simply who he was.
Our District, Council, Board and certainly Troop 191 are all better for his involvement he will be missed. I started this statement with "It is with mixed emotions" because Karlis had a tough battle with cancer and now he is at rest. For those of you that knew him well you knew him well, there are many more positive things and stories that could be shared. For those that only knew him through your interaction with the Eagle Board. I hope you now have better understanding of who you shared time with on the board.
Karils, Once an Eagle Always an Eagle.
You were who every Eagle Scout should emulate to be, rest in peace.
I will pass along information for his services when I get them.
Mark Furey
Minquas District Eagle Board Chair
