Jerry Buis passed away at his home in Snyder Indian on July 8, 2023.  Jerry was one of the four original camping club kids that founded the Ticonderoga Sports Club that evolved into Live Free USA.  Jerry was an officer in Live Free for decades, and was a first aid instructor and headed the Survival Medics group through the 80’s and 90’s.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Jerry also worked as a Red Cross volunteer and worked at disasters throughout the United States.  He shared many campfires and adventures with Live Free members throughout the years and was a key factor in developing Camp Independence in the late 1960’s. He will be sorely missed by us all.  He is survived by his wife Pat and daughter Patricia who are also active with Live Free.

Note: This is the second founder to pass away in the past twelve months, and the sixth core group member lost within the past three years

While the annual meeting is still months away (March 25, 2022) Live Free USA is now accepting nominations for the Board of Directors.  Whereas most previous board members have been located in the Great Lakes region, we are a national organization and are very much committed to broadening our leadership. Since board meetings are now held online, and projects are shared on various internet platforms there is no reason that members from coast-to-coast cannot become officers. As of this date there are at least three directorships that are up for reelection and three currently unfilled positions that are available. Officers are elected for three-year terms and are expected to take on various duties and projects as specified in the bylaws. Directorship is an opportunity to be a part of America’s original survival and preparedness organization. Members can place themselves or others into nomination by e-mailing survivorjj@aol.com or writing to Live Free USA, PO Box, 3295 Munster IN 46321.  Please provide a brief description of why you want to be nominated.  

William Robb passed away on July eighth 2022 after a short but valiant battle with lymphoma.  Bill Robb was one of Live Free USA’s founding members. The organization started off as an informal group of high school kids who liked to go camping.  Being rather poor, we had to put together improvised equipment and hike or bike to local woods. We also had to face the inevitable challenges of survival on Chicago’s Southside.

Bill was in the Fenger High school ROTC and then majored in mathematics at the University of Illinois Chicago campus.   Just out of collage he joined the Army and was posted to the Pentagon were he did programming and coding in the early days of the computer age.  After the Army he was employed for many years by Sears where he helped establish their order and inventory tracking systems. Later he was employed as a department manager for Blue Cross / Blue Shield. Bill and his wife Laurie resided in Munster Indiana.  They had a daughter Melissa and two grandsons. In the early days of the organization Bill was a key factor in developing our organization and its philosophy. He participated in numerous campouts, and events as the organization grew from a small local sports club to a nationally recognized self-reliance advocacy and education organization.

While Bill never held an official office in Live Free USA he performed many essential tasks until only a few weeks before his passing.Bill was loyal, intelligent, and well grounded. William Robb will be greatly missed and always remembered.  His contribution to the organization and his friendship will live on.