Gunnard was born July 20, 1904, in Ashland, Wisconsin. He attended elementary and high school there. He matriculated to the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1928 as an electrical engineer. He earned his master’s degree at the University of Cincinnati, where he was also a teaching fellow.

He was employed at Fairbanks, Morse and Company and retired as Chief Electrical Engineer. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He was also a Director of Air-Trol Corporation. He traveled widely and was responsible for the installation of desalination pumps around the world.

Quoting his very close friend, Larry Raymer: “Of all the men I’ve known in scouting over my own thirty years association with the program, no man has emphasized the ‘outing’ in ‘scouting’ as he has. He was a camping scoutmaster and the kids who grew up in Troop 2 in Beloit were boys who could pitch a tent, follow a trail, cook a meal, build a fence, paddle a canoe and swim and dive like others. They knew how to win rallies and they did.”

When he was Council Commissioner, he emphasized outdoor activities and events. The success of his leadership was keeping boys busy outdoors. Gunnard himself has been a woods and streams man—camping, fishing, hunting and spinning yarns around a campfire. Like old-time teachers who were convinced that to be a successful teacher you must know more than your pupils, Gunnard Holt made scouting a hobby.

He has done most for scouting by his example of Christian living. He has been a motivating force in building Christian character and citizenship. He also was instrumental in securing Camp Two Bear Reservation near Ladysmith, Wisconsin.

Gunnard T. Holt was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1941 by State Line Council. He was an active part of the religious, industrial, civic, and cultural life of his community. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 2 at First United Methodist Church, where he was a member, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees.

He was a past President of the Beloit Lions Club, the Beloit Country Club, the State Line Council Boy Scouts of America, head of the Commissioners Staff, and past President of Sinnissippi Council Boy Scouts of America.

He was past Master of the Morning Star Lodge, #10 F & AM and a Royal Arch Mason of Beloit.

Gunnard Holt was married to M. Van Velkenberg, who met a tragic death in 1964 in an auto accident while returning to Beloit from a visit to Georgia. Even though Gunnard and Mrs. Holt had no children of their own, he dedicated his life to young people.

In 1969, he married Ruth S. Kutz, who passed away in June of 1992.

I deem it a personal honor to present the name of Gunnard T. Holt, Mr. Boy Scout in Sinnissippi Council, for enshrinement into the Beloit Hall of Fame.