Shawn Youngberg

Shawn Edan Youngberg passed away peacefully at home in Frederick on January 7, 2020 after a courageous 11-month battle with colon cancer. He was 45 years old. He was born the third of four children to Dan and Geraldine Youngberg on July 4, 1974 in Oxnard, California. His family lived in Wyoming for 9 years before they settled in Frederick in 1983.

Shawn loved playing baseball in his youth.  He continued his passion by watching live sporting events, from local High School teams to professional teams like the Nationals. Special thanks to the wonderful Dream Foundation that was able to make Shawn’s final dream wish of watching his favorite football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, play.  He was a major fan of George Brett and collected many memorabilia related to his career.  He loved collecting baseball cards and attending card shows. He was able to attend this memorable game with his brother Garrick and his nephews. He enjoyed watching the local Frederick Keys baseball games and always stayed to watch the fireworks afterwards.  He enjoyed golfing with his buddies and helped many Scouts earn his favorite merit badge - Golfing.

Shawn was a servant leader. He lived his life in selfless and cheerful service. He served faithfully as a ministering brother and Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

You can’t talk about Shawn without talking about Scouting. Shawn IS Scouting! He dedicated his entire adult life to Scouting. He started as a Cub Scout and never left. The lives he has touched cannot be measured. The young men he has mentored are countless. The list of positions, training, camps, activities, Jamborees, awards, hikes, Order of the Arrow (OA) roles and events are monumental.

Shawn earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1992 and became a NESA Legacy Fellow and Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association in 2019. Few things made Shawn more happy than seeing the young men in his Troop advance to Eagle. Many of the Scouts pressed forward toward their Eagle rank in Shawn’s final year.  This gave him something to focus on and look forward to seeing.

Shawn always felt that the OA was the best thing that ever happened to him.  The brotherhood of his fellow arrowmen gave him strength and love when he needed it most.  He was able to attend his Lodge OA Banquet days before he passed away.  He was privileged to complete Ordeal in 1995, Brotherhood in 1997, and Vigil in 2005.  He served in many capacities in the Amangamek - Wipit Lodge and particularly loved serving as a Chapter Advisor.  He was an Advisor in many other OA roles including serving as an Area Advisor.  In 2019 he became an Order of the Arrow Legacy Fellow.

Shawn was very proud of his Scout awards and loved earning new “knots” to add to his shirt. Although very sick from cancer, he pursued and earned his last knot - the Sea badge award in November of 2019. He would always take time to explain that the knot closest to his heart was his Eagle knot. Shawn received the District Award of Merit in 2003. He was bestowed the prestigious Silver Beaver in 2008 and was honored to have his father place the award on him.

His most treasured, loved, and longest lasting position - an incredible 18 years - was as Scoutmaster with Troop 324. He served on many District, Council, and Order of the Arrow (OA) committees. Again, how can the impact of this be measured?

He believed every Scout deserved a trained leader. He travelled to Philmont Training Center multiple times and loved to increase in Scout knowledge and help others along the path.  He was most honored to complete his Woodbadge in 1998.  He practiced the EDGE method of training in all he did. He stepped back and let the Troop run as a boy-led organization, yet always encouraged them to pursue new and challenging goals. He taught the boys, “We do hard things!”

He took boys camping every month, only missing a few camps because of minor nuisances such as hurricanes or holidays such as Christmas. Shawn literally had hundreds if not thousands of nights camping. He brought that experience and wisdom to every adventure. When he was unable to get comfortable in his bed because of the cancer, placing his trusted sleeping bag under him made the difference. He simply loved camping, being outdoors, chilling by the fire, and roasting a marshmallow. He attended six National Jamboree’s and two World Jamboree’s (England and Sweden). The stories and adventures of these campouts are legend and could fill volumes. It’s probably best if most of them are never recorded. He loved his camping friends.

More important than the awards and recognition, Shawn was a righteous son of God. He was a positive male role model and second father to many boys.  People were better because of his time here on Earth.  He changed lives and left this world a better place.  In this respect, he did not practice “Leave No Trace.”  He left giant footprints on our hearts and holes that will be hard to fill.

He is survived by his loving parents, Dan and Geraldine Youngberg; and by his three siblings - Alv Dana, Lisa Irene (and her daughter Cynthia Marie Harley), Garrick Dan (and his wife Cynthia). Shawn is also survived by his three nephews he adored: Dan Alv (11), Benjamin Oliver (6), and Alexander Garrick (1).

A viewing will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 199 North Place in Frederick, Maryland on Saturday, Jan 11th at noon.  Funeral services will follow the viewing at 2 PM. Bishop Steven Allgaier will conduct.  Interment will follow at Park Heights Cemetery in Brunswick, Maryland. Shawn would be honored to have you attend in your Class A Scout uniform, if it still fits.