From time to time, TSPA handles “named collections”. Actually, we have handled more of these than anyone else. These are collections of such significance that they carry a special place in the hobby based on the collector. Typically these named collections are lifetime or generational collections. That is, collections that span twenty-five years or more to build.

Bil Loeble in his patch room in front of some of the patch plaques from his years as Section Advisor.

We are handling one such collection right now, Bill Loeble’s lettered council strip collection. The patches will speak for themselves but let me share with you some of his background. For as significant as his collections are, what he has done for Scouting and our youth is more significant.

Bill joined Scouts in 1954 and became an Eagle Scout in 1956. He attended Philmont the following year. He served on Camp Shenandoah’s (VA) staff for several years starting in 1958. He was inducted into Shenandoah lodge in 1959.

While attending the 1960 National Jamboree in Colorado Springs, CO he got the collecting bug. His OA trading flap was the Shenandoah 258 F1 which was a one color flap. He mentioned it didn’t trade well when compared to Blue Heron or Catawba and he could only get a few as they were highly restricted. We laughed though that it would be nice to have some of those 258’s back.

He served on the staff of the 1964 National Jamboree. He started with OA patches but in ’72 when council shoulder patches started coming out he added those to his collecting interests. He collected shoulder insignia going forward (CSPs) and backwards (RWS) in time amassing the largest such collection in the country.

Picture of waterfront buddy tags for Bill and his son.

Bill served in multiple leadership roles in multiple councils including Central SC, Indian Waters, and Atlanta Area Councils. He also served in multiple leadership roles within the Order of the Arrow from Chapter Advisor to Southern Region Chairman and member of the National OA Committee. He was awarded his Vigil in Muscogee 221 in Indian Waters Council South Carolina.

Bill has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years but he does not dwell on them. Of note though, Bill is one of the few collectors to have been awarded the Silver Buffalo. The only others that come to mind are Dr. Hal Yocum and Tico Perez. Bill is now a 65 year veteran of Scouting.

And lest you think Bill’s no longer collecting, here’s his patch room today.