Thomas Bruce Wagner Memorial Bear Camp Scholarship

This fundraiser is created in memorey of Thomas Bruce Wagner who lost his battle with cancer in the morning of October 26th 2021 at the age of 61. 

Bruce was born September 13,1960 to John Samuel and Shirley Joan Winters Wagner in the town of Lawrence, Kansas. In 1970 his family, including his two younger brothers Brian, and Brenn, relocated to Baldwin City where he graduated high school in 1978. He married Rosemary Henige in 1982 and had three children, Tristan, Clarissa and John.

He was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America for 20 years filling many positions from den leader, pack leader, committee chair, and day camp program director for the Pelathe district. He also served as the program director for Bear Camp at the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation from 2008 -2009, and spent several summers working at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. 

He met his partner of 12 years, Carol Stevenson at a scouting event in 2009. Scouting was an experience he shared and treasured with all three of his children. He was a mentor and role model for hundreds of children and teens he worked with throughout the years, and will be remembered for his unique sense of humor and for finding the fun and joy in any task. He is survived by his best friend and partner Carol Stevenson and her two children Timothy and Sarah, former wife Rosemary, three children, two brothers, his great aunt and uncle, two nieces, six grandkids, and many other relatives and friends. He was a renaissance man, and lived his life the way he pleased - “I did it my way.”
One of Bruce's last wishes was to create a scholarship to send underprivileged youths to the Theodore Naish Scout Reservation Cub World so they may attend Bear Camp. This summer camp is one of the first experiences young scouters have to overnight camping, and offers an array of activities including wood working, arts and crafts, b.b. guns,  exploring the  hidden mine, defending the cub world castle, and cooling off in the pirate cove water park. 

It was near to Bruce's heart because for two summers he developed many of the programs and schedules that are in use to this day. Please honor Bruce's memory by donating to this worthy cause.