Important Note: Please consider donating to the GoFundMe set up for Tim’s family (https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-honor-of-tim-staples-3r128-west-valley-sar?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet)
Awards
Vigil Honor, Navajo Lodge
Founder’s Award, Navajo Lodge
Leadership
Navajo Lodge Chief
Vice-Chief, Section W4B
Tim was an Eagle Scout from Old Baldy Council. He served two terms from 2003 to 2005 as the second to last Lodge Chief of Navajo Lodge 98. He also served as W4B Section Vice Chief from 2005 to 2006. Tim was a fine young man, and the younger Scouts of the Lodge (including my oldest son Christopher) looked up to him as a leader. He was a Vigil Honor member and Founder’s Award recipient from Navajo Lodge. It was my honor to go through the Vigil with Tim in 2004. He was the 145th Vigil Honor from Navajo Lodge. His Vigil name was Gunaquot Sakima, which translated to Tall Chief. Tim’s death cut too short a life of service to others. Our community and the brotherhood of Scouting Alumni are poorer today because of his passing.
I met Tim sometime in 2003 at a Lodge Meeting in Upland California. I immediately noticed the natural leader he was when he was around the other Arrowman. I remember suggesting to him that he ought to run for Lodge Chief at the next election. He was mildly reluctant but intrigued at the same time. Tim ran for Chief and he was elected… Naturally. Later, right before 2004 began I was asked to be Lodge Adviser for Navajo Lodge by the Scout Executive at Old Baldy Council, Ronnie Daniel. I was honored to take the position and I was more honored to be working directly with Tim. Over his tenure as Lodge Chief and then Section Vice Chief I personally got to witness one of the most amazing Scouts I had ever seen. His selfless service to others, his devotion to family, and his dedication to the OA and Scouting programs was genuine and it served as an awesome example of a pure gift to the countless other scouts, scouters, friends, and family who had the opportunity to know him. Helping and serving others was his calling and it served him well.
As he grew up and my tenure as Lodge Adviser ended, we parted ways in 2006 as his life was turning a corner one way and mine in another. A handful of years later we reconnected on Facebook and I watched as he continued to grow and live an awesome life achieving the things he set out to do. He became a teacher, he joined the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s SAR team, he met the love of his life, and he married her earlier this year. I never saw anything other than a smile on his face and cheerfulness in his heart. I was deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing this last weekend. He had so much life to live and so much love to give and he gave it all on that mountain December 14th 2019, serving another as he searched for that lost hiker. God Bless you Tim Staples and thank you for being a part of my life! Yours in Brotherhood. Always! >>>—WWW—->
After taking some time to reflect, I hoped to add a few things on Tim’s friendship and leadership. Before the merger, Navajo Lodge was usually a very close friend to Cahuilla. So we knew their good leaders well. Tim was one of the best Navajo Lodge Chief’s I knew. It was a great pleasure to work with him at the Section level. He had so much enthusiasm for the Conclave program. Tim was one of the catalysts behind Cahuilla and Navajo teaming up for Spirit at the 2006 Conclave, including having a spirit towel made for both Lodges. It was quite an honor when the Spirit Award was declared a tie, with Cahuilla and Navajo winning together. What a great moment.
Tim gave his life trying to save somebody else’s life. That kind of sacrifice is hard to process. Tim, if you’re up there looking down at us, I want you to know we truly appreciate what you did for so many people and we will do everything we can to leave a worthy record of your life and service. You were a great Brother and leader.