Daniel J. Reilly III

Daniel J. Reilly III (affectionately known as "Uncle Dan") has had a tremendous impact on both Camp Lowden and its campers. An expert in nature, he was the nature/ecology director at Lowden from 1980 through 1995, a total of 16 consecutive years.

But beyond that, his wealth of knowledge and experience transformed many aspects of Camp Lowden.

From nature to Indian lore to song-leading to story-telling, Dan knew it all!

Continue on, to learn more about this Legend of Lowden.

Personal Background

Dan Reilly was born in Buffalo, New York on May 21, 1920. He lived in Buffalo until 1928, then Erie, Pennsylvania until 1937, and finally Cleveland, Ohio until 1940.

Dan served in the Army Air Force during World War II, stationed in England. While in the service he had an opportunity to study conversational French and to use it during a quick two-day trip to France in May of 1945. Dan had studied German in high school and spoke it at home with his German-American mother and his wife Marion spoke French.

After returning home, he went to DePaul University on the G. I. bill, earning his college degree in Modern Languages (French major with minors in English, Spanish and Education). He worked in the steel mills for 37 years, teaching apprentices in the field of instrumentation and automatic control, and retired as a foreman at the age of 57.

Dan was also a substitute teacher at twenty-six elementary schools in the Chicago Archdiocese until 1985. From 1985 until the late 1990's he confined his teaching to two parish schools in Blue Island as well as nearby Marist High School.

Dan and his wife Marion lived in Blue Island, Illinois (a south/southwest suburb of Chicago) since 1947 and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May 2002. In 2003 he was the Grand Marshal of the Red, White, and Blue Island Independence Day parade, accompanied by Marion in the Grand Marshal’s open top vehicle.

Mrs. Reilly passed away on December 10, 2006.

Scouting Background

Dan was on staff at the Greater Cleveland Council Camp at Chagrin Falls, Ohio in 1938 and 1939. In 1938 Dan earned the Eagle Scout Award and it was presented to him on January 13, 1939.

Dan became interested in Indian Lore because of the Order of the Arrow. In 1952 Dan was inducted into the Order of the Arrow as an adult (Cleveland did not have the OA when he was on staff in the late 1930s). In 1953, the Moqua Chapter of Owasippe Lodge (then the largest chapter in the country) split into district units. Dan was part of the new Burr Oak District and therefore a charter member of the new Wipunquoak Chapter of the Owasippe Lodge. Dan states that Wipunquoak means "White Oak" (they could not find Burr Oak in the Lenni Lenape Dictionary).

Since Buffalo was in Seneca (Iroquois) country, Dan got his first (Iroquois) beaded moccasins at the age of 6 months and still has them. The first pictures of Dan in Indian costume are at the age of three or four.

As a new chapter, they found themselves with no costumes and no ritual team. Another member of the new chapter, Bill Clemmons, had been on the Moqua team and he had a costume. He then recruited several others including Jim Mess, Bob St. Aubin, and Dan, to start building costumes, doing beadwork, and learning ritual team parts (in those days adults had most of those positions). Dan had a lot of help from his wife Marion (Akaga), who had been an active Campfire Girl, with many beaded costume parts (for many years she accompanied Dan in costume on some of his occasional native dress appearances). Dan accessed books on beadwork and Native American clothing, and through reading his interest spread in all directions. This tied in with his interest in Nature - Mitakuye Oyasin - All my Relations--all things are related.

Dan earned the Brotherhood Honor in 1953 and was presented with the Vigil Honor in 1961. His Vigil name is "Wetochwink Chweli," which means "father of many" (he has nine children).

From 1987 to 1994 Dan worked as a volunteer in the Webber Resource Center, a Native American public access library and information center at the Field Museum of Chicago. He compiled a directory to all of the then-available Native American halls and display cases, both North and South American. Today he has many books on American Indian lore, more than most bookstores and libraries do.

He has been active with Troop 788 in Blue Island, Illinois (the oldest continually active troop in Chicago Area Council), since 1951 and served as Scoutmaster for many years.

Having been taking part in leader training courses since 1937, Dan received the Scouters Training Award in the mid-1950s and then the Scoutmaster’s Key and later graduated from the Chicago Area Council Scoutmaster’s Fellowship program (a forerunner of Wood Badge). He received the Silver Beaver and the St. George Awards in 1960 and subsequently the Bronze Pelican and District Award of Merit.

In 1965 he took Wood Badge at Philmont. More than 20 years later he was talking with Russ Reimer at Lowden and discovered that he too had taken Wood Badge at Philmont and rode back on the same train as Dan!

Indian Costume

Arrival at Lowden

In the summer of 1979, Dan was advised by his brother Bill to join his troop while they camped at Northwoods Scout Reservation, which was then owned by Blackhawk Area Council, as it would be his last chance to get there before the camp closed [Bill was then Scoutmaster of the troop at Rockford’s Holy Family parish].

While at Northwoods Dan gave an American Indian presentation to the troop and was ultimately asked to give the presentation to the entire camp at the closing campfire. Dale Smith, the new program director for Blackhawk Area Council, saw Dan’s presentation and began talking with him.

Camp Lowden at this point in time had constant turnover in both staff and program. It was not doing very well as a camp, and in fact was in danger of closing. Dale was searching for a "cadre" of Scouting talent in order to turn Camp Lowden around, and gave Dan a staff application.

Amazingly enough, after Dan returned home he put the application aside, thinking they did not really want a 60-year-old man on staff! But when he received a second application from Dale in the mail, he began to realize they were serious. Dan came to Rockford and met again with Dale and was offered his choice of several different positions, including nature director, scoutcraft director, etc. He ultimately chose the former and was subsequently hired for the 1980 summer camp season.

Camp Lowden

Dan’s impact at camp was immediate. Almost immediately after arriving, his wealth of knowledge and experience transformed many aspects of Camp Lowden. The staff began singing marching songs, many of which were either written or adapted by Dan. Songs were sung in the dining hall after meals, usually led by Dan. After a couple of years other staff members began leading songs as well...songs which, more often than not, had been initially taught by Dan.

In the nature area, most of the materials and displays belonged to Dan. Several staff members recall fondly how, at the beginning of each summer camp season, the Reilly station wagon backed up to the nature lodge and was unloaded, much of the load being part of Dan’s vast Indian and nature libraries. Then the old metal desk, which Dan always used, was brought up from the Main Lodge.

Dan served as the counselor for fifteen merit badges. The most common one was Environmental Science, which is required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. That put just about every Scout that attended summer camp in contact with Dan at one time or another. Dan’s Monday night star hikes were a great favorite.

Many Scouts would work on more than one merit badge in the nature area. A Scout could be talking with Dan about Environmental Science or Weather and if he was also working on Bird Study, Dan would periodically interrupt him, sometimes in mid-sentence, to ask him the name of a particular bird that flew overhead. Dan could always tell, either by color or by song, and often by both. The thing that most people did not know is that Dan is colorblind.

Occasionally there would be special circumstances, such when Dan was able to counsel a Scout for the Oceanography merit badge! But the Scout had come prepared and had completed saltwater observation and other "ocean" requirements in advance, and Dan was able to counsel the Scout on the remaining requirements.

Order of the Arrow ceremonies benefited from the addition of American Indian songs and stories that Dan brought. For many summers, beginning in 1984, Dan told American Indian stories on Thursday nights to the younger Scouts (while older Scouts were at the OA induction ceremonies). During Dan’s last four or five years at Lowden, at Sunday night campfires, Daniel Jacques, the "mebbe two hunnert or t’ree hunnert year old" French/Canadian/Odawa voyageur came out of the woods singing in French, and telling stories about his shrunken friend Jean-Luc, whose sole vocabulary was "Oui."

One year, two of Dan’s nephews at camp called him "Uncle Dan." It caught on and ever after he was known by most everyone as "Uncle Dan." That same year Dan was thrilled when a black Scout called him Uncle Dan. One time a boy even asked him if he was the "Uncle Dan" [Daniel Beard] in the Boy Scout Handbook!

In the early 1980s there was a contest for the patch design for the following year. The 1983 camp patch was designed with Dan in mind (he would always stand on a cliff overlooking the council ring). The design was later incorporated into camp stationery and still shows up from time to time.

After serving on camp staff for 16 years, Dan retired at the end of the 1995 summer camp season at the age of 75, on orders from his doctor. In 1996 he was presented with a lifetime staff emeritus plaque for his many years of service to Camp Lowden.

Favorite Lowden Memories

Introduction time at the parents’ potluck meal before camp started. I introduced Bob Wienke as my grandfather, after which he was always known as "Grandpa Wienke"

Russ Reimer and I talking on the porch of our cabin, and discovering we had taken Wood Badge together at Philmont 20 years before, and ridden back on the train together!

The wonderful fireball observed on a star hike

Troop 6 from Rockford, and the professional clown they had in the 1980’s as Scoutmaster [note: SM Earl Lutzow was a professional clown for many years]

The turkey vulture roost in the pines upstream from the swimming area

The Nature Area song written to the tune of the Marsellaise on July 14

The Nature Area Christmas Song, and all the Christmases in July, and the days when we drew names and made special gifts for them

The many wonderful people whom with I served on staff

The several times that I was privileged to serve as Allowat Sakima for Vigil Honor ceremonies

The Wednesday night [family night] that it started to rain before the OA calling-out. I prayed in Sioux for the rain to hold off. It stopped, and then the skies opened up as I walked into my cabin afterwards

While telling Indian stories one night, I did a dance step or two, then apologized (it always rains if I dance in costume!) and said it would rain that night, but only a little bit, as I had only done a couple of steps. The next morning as I walked into the dining hall, everyone was looking at me strangely. On inquiring what was wrong they said it had rained for five minutes that night! Of course, being in a cabin, I did not know about it.

Camping School - two as student and two as staff

The Scout who told me he did not like sweet potatoes, and gobbled up the sweet potato pie - he thought it was pumpkin!

The boy who stopped me on the trail to tell me that he never understood ecology in school, but now it all made sense to him

I was surprised at how many Scouts did not know that Uncle Dan was Wetochwink Chweli, Daniel-Jacques, and Professor Gedankenheimer

One of my students at National Camping School, Tiffany Rose, turned up at Lowden a couple of years later as Tiffany Geraghty, the wife of Jon Geraghty, our camp ranger. We became good friends, and in 1993 she gave me a two-month old puppy. Patch, a Husky mix and who looked like a wolf, was born at Camp Lowden and had never been anywhere else until she came home with me at the age of four months. She was my almost constant companion, and could not wait for me to vacate my recliner at night so she can sleep in it. [Patch passed away in December 2007.]

Every year at Lowden I found something new - whether tree, flower, mushroom, insect, or whatever - sometimes even a bird

One evening I tried to count the number of successive whippoorwill calls. I quit at 200, but he didn’t!

The Reilly Mirror

For most of his time at Lowden, Dan Reilly stayed in the left bedroom of the Miller Lodge (formerly known as the Cooks Cabin). He brought a mirror to camp which had belonged to his wife, and affixed a typewritten label to both the front and the back which said:

This mirror is the property of Marion M. Reilly and is to remain at Camp Lowden only as long as Dan Reilly continues to work on summer camp staff.
June 1992.

However, after he retired from the camp staff he left the mirror at camp. Steve Sarver discussed the situation with him and Dan advised that he no longer needed the mirror, and that it could remain at Camp Lowden. Over the years, however, the many coats of paint (pink and blue) began to peal. In addition a frozen pipe burst and flooded the entire cabin, causing a high level of humidity which loosened the joints of the mirror and caused the original plywood backing to split and flake off.

In 2007-2008 Steve completely refurbished the mirror. This involved dismantling each piece of the frame and stripping it down to the bare wood, having a new mirror made (the original had decayed), preparing a new plywood backing, staining and finishing, reassembly, and adding a plaque to the front.

Dan was briefed on the project before, during, and after the refurbishing and was pleased at the final result. He is happy that the mirror - an antique which dates back to at least the 1930s - will continue to serve the Miller Lodge at Camp Lowden for many more years to come.

Honor Flight

"Honor Flight" is an organization that honors World War II veterans with an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial built in their honor. While this majestic memorial was completed in 2004, many of the brave men and women who served in World War II were not physically able to make the trip on their own.

On May 11, 2011, Dan was one of 95 veterans escorted to Washington for their day of honor.

An early morning departure from Midway Airport began a day of remembrance and reminiscing for these veterans who have waited more than 65 years to see their World War II Memorial. In addition to seeing the long-awaited World War II Memorial, these veterans also visited the Lincoln, Korean, and Vietnam Memorials as well as the Air and Space Museum.

Although visiting the memorial was a very important part of the day, the day’s focus was about thanking our veterans for the service and sacrifice they made more than 65 years ago for the freedoms we enjoy today. Throughout the day, these men and women were overwhelmed by people who wanted to shake their hand, salute them, and just say thanks. Although the veterans relish this recognition, they were even more proud when they were recognized by their own family and friends.

After a day of camaraderie and reminiscing, these veterans thought their day-long exhilarating experience was finally over. On the return flight to Chicago, they drifted off to a well-deserved sleep. But much as it was in wartime, their day was not over. Waiting for them on the return flight was another surprise: "Mail Call," the same kind of mail call that kept their spirits alive during the war.

The day’s adventure concluded back in Chicago with a Welcome Home Celebration where family, friends, and volunteer patriots assembled at Midway Airport’s baggage claim. Awaiting the plane’s arrival, they were joined by color guards, bagpipers, bands, motorcycle clubs, and thousands of volunteers and active duty military personnel. Met with balloons, signs, and songs, these senior veterans, aged 82-97 [Dan was nearly 91], at last got the kind of "welcome home" they missed in 1945.

A few weeks before the trip, Honor Flight invited Dan’s family and friends to write "mail call" letters and also to be a part of the Welcome Home celebration. The Mail Call and Welcome Home celebration were secrets, and the veterans knew nothing about that part of the day.

A few days later, when asked how the day went, Dan’s daughter Maureen recalled,

Dad has been on a high for days! He says it was wonderful. They were greeted by several groups when they were dropped off at the airport, and had breakfast at the gate before departure while being entertained by the "Andrews Sisters." Upon arrival in Washington they were given lunch, then taken to the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Air and Space Museum, Lincoln Memorial, and were able to see other sites from the buses. He said his favorite was the Air and Space Museum.

On the flight home they had "mail call" of which Dad was thrilled with all the cards and letters he got from so many people.

You should have seen the airport when they returned. The "welcome home" group extended from baggage claim #1 to #4 - that is half of the first floor! Besides the relatives and friends of the returning heroes, there were school groups, bands, scads of military men and women, and even Miss Illinois. Our "Daniel" group included three of his children, two of his grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and friends, two of whom were the ones who originally told Dad about the Honor Flights. None of the honorees knew about this or the "mail call" beforehand, so they were surprised and "over-the-moon" about it. He spent an hour on the phone with my sister in Denver telling her about it. He wants to go back and see more!

Distinguished Vigil Brother

In 2012, Dan was honored as a distinguished Vigil Brother by Owasippe Lodge #7 (Chicago Area Council) for his 80 years of dedication to Scouting. He was presented with a certificate at the Owasippe Lodge Annual Vigil Alumni Dinner, held in Chicago on Saturday, November 17, 2012. The award was presented by Dr. Francis Podbielski (Vigil Chairman) and Dan Piper (Lodge Chief). Bruce Small and Steve Sarver were in attendance.

Later Years

In later years, Dan has lived with his daughter, Maureen, in Blue Island, Illinois, a south/southwest suburb of Chicago.

Steve Sarver and Tim Gaston have visited with Dan (as well as daughter Maureen and other family members) on many occasions, including Thanksgiving services where Dan dressed in costume and performed Indian prayers.

Daniel J. Reilly III, 99, of Blue Island, passed from this life on Monday, July 15, 2019. He was the beloved husband of the late Marion nee Mick, who passed away December 10, 2006. Daniel is the loving father of the late Michael Reilly, Maureen Reilly, late Rosanne Reilly, late Martha (Dennis) Morales, James (Mary Ann) Reilly, Laura (Robert) Schneider, Robert (Valerie) Reilly, Brian (Eileen) Reilly, and Patrick (Michelle) Reilly. He is the devoted grandfather of thirty-four, the proud great grandfather of forty-seven and great great grandfather of one. Daniel is dear brother of the late Lawrence Reilly, late Betty Anne Reilly, late Mary Jane Reilly, and William Reilly.

Daniel was born May 21, 1920 in Buffalo, New York to the late Francesca nee Haack and Daniel James Reilly Jr. He was a WWII Army Air Force veteran, serving overseas and obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Daniel has been a resident of Blue Island since 1947. He was former employee of US Steel. Daniel was a former substitute teacher for the Archdiocese and Marist High School, and also taught at Chicago Vocational School for US Steel Apprentices. He was active in Scouting for eighty-six years and worked as a Naturalist at Camp Lowden Boy Scout Camp for sixteen years. Daniel was a Native American Story Teller. He shared his knowledge each and every year with children and adults in the local schools, churches and Scout Troops, to which they would look forward to with great anticipation.

Visitation was held on Thursday, July 18, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Krueger Funeral Home, 13050 S. Greenwood Ave., Blue Island, IL. Funeral Mass was Friday, July 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., St. Benedict Church, 2339 York St., Blue Island, IL

Memories of Dan

Below is what others have said about Dan. If you have memories of Dan that you would like to share, please contact us. If you have photographs that you would be willing to share, please contact us as well.

I only spent one summer at camp with Dan [1980], but it was by far the best year I had there. I was lucky enough to be at camp in 2000 when Dan was there for the week, and spent an hour or so talking to him. The time flew by, but that was the highlight of the week. Dan is, without a doubt, one of the finest Scouters I have ever met.

Dan Bestul
"Kikeyjumhet Amemi Tschitanissohen" (Kikeyjumhet Amemi Tschitanissohen)
Camp Lowden Staff (1974, 1976-1978, 1980)

I was honored with Vigil membership in 1992. To this day I have not forgotten that experience. I remember being honored by some of the greatest role models in my life. What an honor it was to have Uncle Dan portray the Great Chief in my ceremony. Adding to that honor was the teamwork of Mark Wallace, Bruce Small, and Ron Weber. Who could possibly ask for a better ceremony?

I remember humbly standing in front of the ceremony team in tears; the same tears that lasted through the night and into the next day. I remember everyone's voices through the night. I remember a long night, a welcome sunrise, a breakfast, and a sense of brotherhood that will last a lifetime.

Uncle Dan exemplified Scouting and the Arrow to the utmost degree. I respect him beyond belief.

David Samuelson
"Wikhetschik" (Builder)
Camp Lowden Staff (1990-1992, 1995-1997)

I am just amazed both how smart Uncle Dan is and how many different subjects that he is an expert on. I thought it was cool that I knew the man who wrote the staff songs that we sang! I was awestruck by the number of stars and constellations that he was able to talk about on his star hikes. Dan was Allowat Sakima at my Vigil Honor induction. I was on leave from the Air Force Academy and a fellow former staffer and I were visiting the camp when Bruce surprised me about my Vigil. It was quite an honor to see Uncle Dan as Allowat Sakima.

For every great memory of Uncle Dan that I mention, I know I have failed to list a hundred more. He was always willing to give time to me (a young kid who liked to ask lots of questions). He is such a friendly person and just an all around awesome Scout. He is an example for us all. Many thanks also go out to his family for sharing him with us for all those summers. He is still much appreciated!

Kevin Templin
"Wschimuin" (One Who Flies)
Camp Lowden Staff (1990-1992)

Dan Reilly is one of the best Scouters with whom I have had the privilege and pleasure to serve at Camp Lowden. Dan's knowledge of nature, Indian lore, and life in general is simply astounding. He truly has forgotten more is his lifetime than I will ever know in mine.

My memories of our time together at camp would be too numerous to identify them all. Some of my most favorite and valued ones would include "Daniel Jacque," the voyageur, spinning his yarns at the opening campfires; seeing Dan dance around the dining hall - like no one else could - leading the song "Johnny Verbeck;" going to the movies one Saturday afternoon to see the then just-released "E. T." and both of us leaving the theater with teary eyes; and our occasional Saturday outings to Diamond Dave's in Sterling for a tasty taco or burrito while wearing one of Dan's jackets because I would always get cold and would never think to bring my own jacket along. Dan has always taken good care of me!

I believe my most treasured memory is when Dan asked me if it would be all right for him to have "Uncle Dan" put on his nametag. I heartily agreed, and I knew that at that moment, Dan Reilly had become part of the Camp Lowden staff family forever! He is one of my most trusted, respected, and closest friends. Dan is the standard of excellence by which I measure myself, knowing that I will always be looking up to his example!

Sincerely and with eternal love and gratitude,

Bruce A. Small
Camp Lowden Staff
Staff Member (1979-1980)
Camp Director (1981-1987, 1991-2016)

Wisdom is best celebrated when it inspires others!

I met Dan as a volunteer leader when I served on the staff at the Northwoods Scout Reservation in 1979. In returning to the Camp Lowden staff in 1982, I was delighted to work with Dan for many years thereafter. His ongoing encouragement and devoted friendship has meant an incredible amount to me.

When I first introduced "The Unicorn Song," remembering all the verses and gestures seemed overwhelming. Dan's repeated words of encouragement soon found me leading that song sometimes two and three times a week. My visits with him in Blue Island and at staff reunions have served to make the happy days of camp staff alive again. Of all the persons I have met in Scouting, in business, and socially, Dan counts among the most esteemed.

Tim H. Gaston
Camp Lowden Staff
(1979, 1982-1983, 1985-1987, 1998-1999)

Dan's knowledge of popular folksongs inspired me to spend hours at the music library looking for new tunes and lyrics for group singing. Dan encouraged me to also lead "MacNamara's Band," which became a hit with campers for many years.

Dan is one of best examples of what it means to live the Scouting ideals. His love of God is above reproach, his devotion to the American dream is admirable, and the heart of his being exemplifies the Scout Oath and Law. As a friend, Dan has been the remarkable encourager and supporter that most people only imagine. I am truly blessed to be counted among Dan's friends and hope that I can be that sort of friend to others.

Ronald Weber
Camp Lowden Staff
(1980-1987, 1991-1993, 1995-1996)

Dan set the standard to which others, including us, admired. We both enjoyed the energy and vigor that Dan displayed in leading songs in the dining hall and at campfires. His knowledge of folk songs, especially Irish tunes, served as popular foundations to his musical leadership and his staff marching songs. Dan encouraged us to be open to leading new and rediscovered songs.

Dan's stories, both fictional and his personal experience, became a trademark of any encounter with him. His regaling of Scouting tales of his youth at times seemed archaic and dated, but as it gave reason to ponder, we realized that boys are the same from one generation to another. We found delight, and often laughed with Dan, over his use of once-popular phrases that for many had been buried away with history. Dan's clever wit abounded in his liberal use of puns and whimsical word play.

Weekends and time away from camp with other staff members proved interesting, especially with Dan's color-blindness. On one occasion at a movie, the screen image was a bright pink wall which was meant to be funny. Dan leaned over and asked, "Why is everyone laughing?" Additionally, we would enlighten Dan on many popular phrases and expressions. It was in his nature (naturally!) to correct the grammar of such word combinations. Dan's color-blindness also enabled us to play pranks on him when sorting his laundry. Just imagine if the "laundry police" had witnessed him washing colors and whites together!

When off the clock and out of camp, a cold beverage on a hot Saturday afternoon was refreshingly good. We would join Dan in relaxing as he would tell us what news his wife shared with him about the family in her weekly letters. Dan did not forget the art of letter-writing either. He wrote to Marion to share all the camp news and misadventures of Bruce and fellow staff members!

Nothing is more inspiring than to see the joy and love of a man and his family and friends. Whether an anniversary or reunion, Dan's impact was evident in his personal demeanor and the affirmation by those around him.

Dan's legacy continues to inspire others!

Tim Gaston and Ron Weber
Camp Lowden Staff

I was Scoutmaster of Troop 158 in the 1980s while my son Craig was in school [note: Craig would later serve on the Camp Lowden staff with Dan in 1986 and 1992].

For several summers, I spent a week at Camp Lowden enjoying the week even more than the Scouts. A major reason for that enjoyment was Dan Reilly. Dan was always a major attraction for the Scouts in my troop during their first (and subsequent) summers of long-term camping.

Dan may remember one of my Scouts, Kevin Roberts, who was quite bright but rather reserved and a bit shy. He was delighted to learn that Dan had personally known J.R.R. Tolkien during his World War II days in England. They consequently spent much of the week talking and writing in Elvish, which they both learned from Tolkien!

Emmet Gonder
Scoutmaster [retired]
Troop 158
Crystal Lake, IL

Steve Sarver's Remarks at Dan's Funeral

Dan joined the Camp Lowden staff in 1980 as our nature director, and it was our privilege to have him on our staff for 16 summers. His wealth of knowledge and experience transformed many aspects of camp. The staff began singing marching songs, many of which were either written or adapted by Dan. I was a first-year Scout that year, and can still remember him marching down the path with that vigorous voice of his. Songs were sung in the dining hall after meals, mostly by Dan. Most of those songs, as well as the staff songs, are still being sung today. Order of the Arrow ceremonies benefited from the addition of the Indian songs and stories that Dan brought. Here too, most of this material is still being used today.

In the nature area, many of us still remember how, at the beginning of each summer, the Reilly station wagon backed up to the nature lodge and was unloaded, with most of the load being part of Dan’s vast Indian and nature libraries. One of the fifteen merit badges that Dan counseled was Environmental Science. That badge is required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, so that put just about every Scout that attended Lowden in contact with Dan at one time or another. The thing that most people did not know (and I did not know this for years) was that Dan was colorblind.

You have probably noted that I refer to him as “Dan,” and one of the greatest honors I have had was to be allowed this privilege. When he first came, everyone referred to him as “Mr. Reilly.” One year, two of his nephews at camp called him “Uncle Dan.” This quickly caught on, and ever since he was known by most everyone as “Uncle Dan.” He even had it on his name badge.

When researching our camp history, I asked Dan to give me some of his favorite memories. As you might expect, he gave me many pages [see "Favorite Lowden Memories" above]. Dan told me that he has been to many camps over the years, and while others may have better facilities, no other staff compares to Camp Lowden.

For many years, none of us had a photo of Dan in his Indian regalia. Fortunately, one of Dan’s granddaughters was able to take dozens of photos of him in his Indian costume, for which we are very grateful. It is amazing to think that he made the costume himself nearly 70 years ago. One day I asked him how many beads were on it, and he said 600,000. I joked that I saw one just like it at Walmart, and he gave me one of those hearty laughs of his.

In 2008, several of us were talking about Dan and wondered if his family realized how much he has meant to us. We decided to contact everyone that had served on our staff with Dan and give us their memories, reflections, etc. Within a day, my e-mail inbox was flooded with several dozen responses.

Some were on the lighter side:

“Seeing Dan dance around the dining hall leading the “Johnny Verbeck” song.”
“Dan’s repeated words of encouragement soon found me leading songs, sometimes two and three times a week.”
“I thought it was cool that I knew the man who wrote the staff songs that we sang!”

For me personally, I first met Dan when I was 10 and he was “only” 60 years old, but I avoided him anyway because I was “afraid of the “old guy!” We’ve laughed about that for years. But once I got there I wished I had come sooner and taken more badges from him. The depth and breadth of his expertise of nature, Indian lore, etc., was just amazing.

I used to think that Dan thought, taught, and dreamt Scouting, nature, and Indian lore. In addition, he had so many stories about fictional characters that until I met her in person in 2003, I was not even sure that his wife Marion was real! They both laughed when I told them that! I was actually taken aback to find out that he had other interests, such as Star Trek. One day, more than 20 years after I was first afraid of him, I found myself sitting with him at his kitchen table having a VERY engaging conversation about the Borg!

Several people wrote and said that they had tears in their eyes when they recalled their memories of Dan. One said that for every great memory of Uncle Dan, he could have listed a hundred more. I think we can all relate to that. Others said that Dan set the standard to which others admired.

“Dan’s love of God is above reproach, and the heart of his being exemplifies the Scout Oath and Law.”
“Dan was one of the finest Scouters I have ever met, and one of the greatest role models in my life.”
“Dan exemplified Scouting to the utmost degree. I respect him beyond belief.”

Many people have made the statement over the years that, “someone should write a book about Dan.” So we did. We took these reflections, and many of his granddaughter’s photographs, and put everything together into a Shutterfly book. In early 2009, when Dan came to Rockford to see me receive the Silver Beaver, several of us got together for dinner the night before. We told him what we had done, and presented him with a copy. He was very moved, as were we all. The four of us each signed each other’s copy, and this book ranks among my most treasured possessions.

Daniel J. Reilly

Dan Reilly had a tremendous impact on Camp Lowden, its staff, and its campers. But for many of us, he had an even bigger effect on us personally.

Thank you, Uncle Dan, for the wisdom, guidance, and influence that you provided to the thousands of Scouts and leaders that have known you throughout your years in Scouting.

Steve Sarver
"Tschitanitehen Apatschin" (Persevering One Who Returns)
Camp Lowden Staff (1985-1986, 1989)