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.

Youth leaders included Dan Pearson from Indio Troop 51, wearing an OA Tahquitz Lodge flap, Roger Meyer from Ashie Lodge, Jeffrey Fink from Pang Lodge, Racy Slider, and James Whittaker.

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, 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.