1964 – Don Pearson Slides

These slides were found and dated from 1964 from an Indio-based Scouter named Don Pearson.

The include a visit to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and include Scout leaders visiting with former President Dwight Eisenhower at his home overlooking the 11th hole at the Indian Wells El Dorado County Club.

Youth leaders included Dan Clarke-Pearson from Indio Troop 51, wearing an OA Tahquitz Lodge flap, Roger Meyer (1947 – 2017), Jeffrey Fink, Randy Slider (1946 – 2014)¹, and James Whittaker. The photographs were from Scoutmaster Don Pearson (1918 – 1996) of Coachella.

James “Jim” Whittaker had become the first American to summit Mt. Everest, 11 months prior. He was a former Boy Scout, who had learned to love climbing in his Scout Troop. He was the first hired employee of REI, and served as CEO of REI for 25 years (including when these photographs were taken).

The meeting was covered by the local media and aired at 6:30 PM on NBC-TV’s “Survey 64” on Sunday, April 19.

In one of the group photographs, a person that looks like Barry Goldwater can also be seen. This was in the middle of the 1964 primary season, and he was likely looking for the President’s endorsement. The California primary was held only 6 weeks after these photos were taken. It is unclear if this is the person seen in the images.