Mike Bliss of Klamath Falls receives national recognition

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Mike Bliss of Klamath Falls will be the guest of honor at a dinner Friday, June 23, celebrating his earning of the Silver Buffalo Award, the highest honor given to adult leaders by the Boy Scouts of America.

The award recognizes outstanding service to youth rendered at the organization’s national level.

“Very few people across the country have ever earned this honor, and Mike is the first from Southern Oregon,” said Don Boyd, a longtime Scouting organizer in the Klamath Basin. “We’re looking forward to celebrating this honor for Mike with a dinner and some special guest speakers.”

The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 23, at the Ninth Street Venue, 829 Klamath Avenue in Klamath Falls.  To make reservations for the dinner, contact Gary Hedlund at (541) 892-1664, or Ken Goswick at (541) 850-9217. Cost is $25 per person.

Bliss received the award during the BSA's national convention in May in Atlanta, Ga.

Bliss’s accomplishments as a Boy Scout included earning the rank of Eagle in Klamath Falls in 1972. He also earned the God and Country Award, and served as lodge chief in the BSA’s Order of the Arrow honor society.

As an adult he continued leadership in the Order of the Arrow program. His service in that area was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award at the BSA’s district level in 1994, and the Silver Antelope Award at the regional level in 2006. Bliss also holds the Hornaday Award, which recognizes distinguished service in natural resources conservation.

Bliss, who works as president and CEO of MD Financial and All Seasons Mortgage in Klamath Falls, has also been active locally with the Rotary International, the Klamath Symphony and the Klamath Yacht Club.