Vice President’s Corner | January 2026
December 29, 2025
The Oakland County Sportsman | January 2026
December 30, 2025
A Concervation Legend: Elden Montross, Sr.
Greetings fellow club members. This month, I devote this space to a Michigan conservation legend … Elden Montross, Sr.
Many of you will have heard by now that Elden passed December 1st. Elden lived a life of service and much of that service was devoted to Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club and to Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
When I took on the role of club rep to MUCC, many of you told me of Elden’s decades of leadership. I called him to ask for his thoughts. I visited him at his home several times and sat with him at every general membership meeting. I spoke with him about current conservation issues, things he’d worked on in the past, photography and, generally, how to do this job I’ve taken on. He did for me what I now know he’s done for countless others – he mentored and encouraged me.
Elden and his wife Betty have been married for 68 years! They have four children and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a leader in his church and a devoted Christian. He retired from Pontiac Motors after 43 years but his ongoing service to others continued unabated. Here are a few examples:
• Multiple MUCC Past-President’s awards
• MUCC 2018 Volunteer of the Year
• MUCC Region 4 Vice President; Chairman of District 4
• OCSC Life Member and past member of the Board of Directors (club member since 1965)
• Chairman ofThe Friends of Pontiac Lake
• Distinguished Service award from the Boy Scouts of America
Elden’s daughter Wendy says they have stacks of certificates of recognition.
Elden traveled to Lansing and to Washington, DC on multiple occasions to testify to our legislators on conservation matters. He estimated he’s been to about 25 MUCC annual conventions. He has been a fighter for some major conservation wins.
I only knew Elden for about a year. The last year of his life. He has reinforced in me the value of service and the importance of protecting our natural resources.
Rest in peace, dear friend. We’ll take it from here.
Dave Budnick
OCSC rep to MUCC
(248) 978-3454
davebudnick@comcast.net
davebudnick.com
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