On November 27, 2008, Harry C. "Chigger" Danciger left the earthly bonds to soar the heights among and beyond eagles. Fond memories and appreciative thoughts about Chigger's earthly presence from a few of his Kia Kima brothers are offered.
From Ron Tate - May 2005 Smoke Signal… Headline: "OLD KIA KIMA PILOTS INCLUDE A FLYIN’ CHIGGER!"… In June of 1968, our own Harry "Chigger" Danciger and Danciger Equipment Company were featured in a Wall Street Journal story about an added dimension of service to the company's clients. Chigger was known for 'delivering the goods' to his customers in his own airplane.
From David Fleming - As a Kia Kima first-year camper in August 1951, I met Chigger on the point and was present when he identified the last bird for his Bird Study merit badge to complete his Eagle requirements. Each Christmas since the founding of OKKPA I sent Chigger a holiday greeting card, depicting either an eagle or bison or other symbols about the Creation we all love. Chigger never failed to phone me for a lengthy chat about the card and the enduring friendships within our Kia Kima family. I shall so miss those annual tele-chats with Chigger. Each time I enter our restored Cabin 2 (Hopi Lodge) and see Chigger's name where he painted it on the stone wall in 1951, I shall envision him flying among the eagles he so dearly loves.
From Boyd Billingsley - (the go-fetch-it guy) memories of the now famous canoe-trek (circa 1990) on the Spring River with Chigger, Sam Walton, George Billingsley, Lou Pritchett and others. The trek prompted Lou's book... Stop Paddling and Rock the Boat...
From LeRoy Riddick - I recall Chigger as having the energy and enthusiasm of a soaring eagle. I can picture him on the point, talking rapidly in that characteristic voice of his. Roy quotes Carl Sagan, "We are the stuff that stars are made of" adding, "just put together in a unique manner. The uniqueness will live on with us while the rest transits to which it came."
From Gordon "Scotty" Monteath - He (Chigger) really made an impression on me when I was a camper. So much so, I nicknamed my son Scott "Chigger" and called him that for years in honor of brother Danciger and because he always seemed to be an itch under the saddle.
From Cohen Oswalt - Chigger was that rare type of individual that saw only the good in everyone and that feeling was reciprocated by all who knew him.
From Lou Pritchett - Regardless of what you called him---Harry or Chigger--- Chigger was special… unique… a character! He was as honest as the day is long, he had a keen, raw intelligence and often figured things out long before the rest of us. He had a quick and subtle wit that people found very funny while some of us close to him found it brilliant. He always wanted to please. He never wanted to hurt anyone. I could always name his friends but could never name a single enemy. To Chigger, a friend was someone to be treasured because he knew that real friends were rare. He knew that you needed to work at friendships and the lapse of time did nothing to erase the real ones. He was a master story teller and could make the dull interesting and the interesting fascinating.
Chigger, you made a lot of people laugh, you made a lot of people happy and you made a lot of people---better people. We are all going to miss you… We loved you then and we love you now. Thanks for the memories.