The Camp Fire community has lost one of its brightest flames. Susan “Suz” Welch, a trailblazer who devoted more than six decades to youth development and the camping movement, passed away on November 6, 2025, at age 85.
Like the best camp counselors, Suz had a gift for seeing potential in everyone she met. Her journey with Camp Fire began as a camper at Camp Hantesa (Camp Fire Heart of Iowa) near Boone, Iowa, where summer adventures kindled a passion that would shape her entire life. She joined the Hantesa summer staff in 1959 and never really left. Even after her official retirement in 2005, she continued to share her time and talents, and simply being present with the people who needed her wisdom most.
Suz’s impact on Camp Fire was transformative. As Camp Hantesa Director beginning in 1972 and Camp Fire Heart of Iowa Executive Director beginning in 1982, she expanded programs and facilities with the same innovative spirit that made her a natural leader. But her influence extended far beyond any single camp or affiliate. She served on national boards, taught future camp professionals as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Northern Iowa, and mentored countless staff members who now lead organizations across the country.
“We are deeply saddened to share the passing of camping legend, Suz Welch, a remarkable leader, mentor, and friend. Suz was often described as a force of nature—strong, energetic, and endlessly generous with her time and wisdom.
She exemplified the camp phrase “Love is the joy of service so deep that self is forgotten.” Even in retirement she continued to share her time and talents with our staff and campers – taking photos, documenting our camp’s history, and teaching whittling – which quickly became one of our most popular activities – not just because of her expert program planning but also because our campers just enjoyed spending time with her.
Her impact reached far beyond our own camp and programs; she inspired and guided countless camp and youth development professionals who continue to lead and shape the world today.
She will be dearly missed by our community but we also know that her devotion to camp and the example she set has been so deeply ingrained into our culture, traditions, and living memory that she will never truly be gone – she will live on in every story shared and song sung around the campfire, every smiling camper, and every leader she helped nurture.” – Owen Ballard, Executive Director, Camp Fire Heart of Iowa
Her leadership in the broader camping community was equally remarkable. As President of the American Camp Association’s National Board of Directors from 1995-1996, she helped shape the future of youth development and camping nationwide. Her expertise was sought by camps from Ohio to Georgia, to Iowa, and beyond. She was the person you called for guidance, and she always answered.
Suz’s legacy lives on in every campfire circle, every song sung under the stars, and every leader who learned from her example that true service means lighting the way for others.
Read Suz’s full obituary and memorial service details here.
Memorial Service: Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Camp Hantesa, 1450 Oriole Road, Boone, IA 50036 (visitation at 10:00 a.m., followed by luncheon and celebration of life from 1:00-2:30 p.m.)
Memorial Contributions:
- Miss Suz Campership Endowment Fund – supporting youth scholarships in perpetuity
- Miss Suz Memorial Fund – supporting immediate needs
- Or by mail: Camp Fire Heart of Iowa, PO Box 13015, Des Moines, IA 50310
Though we say goodbye to Suz, the embers of her dedication continue to glow—in the camps she built, the leaders she mentored, and the countless young people whose lives were enriched by her vision. Some flames burn so brightly that they never truly go out.
