Dr. Rudolph Alvin Light (1910-1970) was the final major contributor to the 1959 capital development campaign. Camp Light is named for him, honoring his $75,000 pledge to the campaign. Light had been involved with the Council for years starting in 1947, first as a member of the Health and Safety committee, and later as part of the Camping Committee and Executive Board. Light graduated from Yale in 1931, before also graduating from Oxford and Vanderbilt. He served in the US Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war, Light became a professor at Vanderbilt School of Medicine as well as their director of surgical research. Not surprisingly, Light was also a philanthropist. In addition to serving on the Executive Board of the Council, Light was a president of the Nashville Symphony Association and the Nashville Civic Music Association. Light died January 12, 1970.

William Harry “Beanie” Elam (1902-1975) is known primarily for two things in the Middle Tennessee Council’s history. First, he was the long time Scoutmaster – 43 years – of Troop 144 in Springfield, TN. During his tenure as Scoutmaster, Elam served over 1,000 Scouts, producing over 200 Eagle Scouts. Second, Elam was the first Scoutmaster of Wood Badge. He directed the first six courses at Boxwell (Rock Island and then Old Hickory) and was a fixture in most of the other courses until his death. His was also an artist, known for his sketches of individuals and little witticisms that accompanied them. His work was on display at the National Scouting Museum for a time. He was also a volunteer leader and instructor at the Narrows of the Harpeth Boxwell. In his non-Scouting life, Elam was the secretary-treasurer of the Springfield woolen mill. He passed away in 1975, having earned both the Long Rifle Award and the Silver Beaver.

Josh Sain (1978-1997) Josh was an extremely active member of Manchester’s Troop 314. It was in this troop where Josh learned Scouting’s values, where he earned his Eagle Scout Award. Josh served his lodge cheerfully in numerous capacities including lodge vice chief and two terms as lodge chief.  Josh continued his service as the 1996 section chief from Southern Region 6A.  Josh was elected by his fellow section chiefs to serve as the 1997 national vice chief.  During his speech at the 1997 National Jamboree, Josh spoke of the importance of the principles of the Order of the Arrow-Brotherhood, Cheerfulness and Service. He referred to these things as the spirit of the Order, and Josh was a living example of that spirit.  Tragically, Josh was killed in an automobile accident on Friday, October 24, 1997. He was just 19 years old. The loss of Josh Sain was a huge loss to Scouting, to the Order of the Arrow, and to mankind. In 2000 the National OA Committee established the Josh Sain Memorial Scholarship.