Ioan Dimăncescu

Ioan Dem. Dimǎncescu (October 12, 1898, Titu – September 26, 1951, Bucharest) was a Romanian army officer, with a degree in physical education. He participated in the Boys and Girls Scout programs of Romania and was a scout leader.

Captain Ioan Dem. Dimǎncescu from the Mountain Troops (RO: vânǎtori de munte), 1925

Early life and education

Dimǎncescu graduated from the International YMCA College in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1926.[1][2]

Dimǎncescu and his brother (Dimitrie) were founding members of the Boy Scout patrols in Romania (in summer 1913).[3] The organization was based on the English scouting guidelines at Gheorghe Lazăr High School in Bucharest.

Career

Dimǎncescu enrolled in the Officers School in Botoşani (in October 1916). Upon graduation he served as a second lieutenant in the 1st Cyclists’ Company, 1st Cavalry Division. In August 1917 he participated in the battles of Cosna / Hill 789 and Oituz-Grozești / Hill 383. He was wounded in the campaign from Basarabia (1918) and upon recovery participated in the anti-communist campaign of the Romanian army in Hungary (1919).

In 1919 he was a member of the Romanian rugby team at the Inter-Allied Games in Paris.[4]

Dimǎncescu took YMCA courses in Romania (1920–1921) and became a ski instructor in the 1st Mountain Troops Battalion in Sinaia. Between 1921 and 1929, he was transferred to the National Institute of Physical Education (INEF) and Military Institute of Physical Education (IMEF) being involved in the new structures development.[5] He published sports methodology articles in the Physical Education Bulletin.[6]

He led the Romanian military teams’ participation in abroad sporting competitions and organized international ski and biathlon contests (1926–1934)[7][8] in Romania, under the command of Lt.Col. Emil Pǎlǎngeanu. Dimǎncescu promoted[9] and organized winter sports (ski, sledges and bobsleigh) contests.[10][11]

In 1923 he became a founding member[12] and the first president of Sinaia - Peleş Sporting Association. After leaving for studies, he returned as a president from 1926 to 1929.[13]

During 1942-1945 Dimǎncescu was the president of the Romanian Ski Federation and from 1945 to 1947 he worked in the YMCA camp from Timisul de Sus, Predeal.[5] He was a member of the Travelers' Inn / Hanul Drumetilor (1924), Turing Clubul Romaniei (1925–1947), Predeal Friends' Association / Amicii Predealului and the "Bucharest Ski Club".

Starting with 1920 Dimǎncescu was a leader of Sinaia Boy Scouts and from 1927 until 1937 he was one of the commanders in Bucharest. In 1929 he reorganized the activity of the Romanian Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.[5] He participated in national and international scouts conferences and Jamoborees.[14]

He was promoted to the position of Physical Education and Health Director within Straja Ţării and attended "Ora Străjerilor" radio show[15] (1938–1940). He was also a guard commander of the Boys' Grand Legion/Falanga and a master instructor of the Guard Commanders' Center from Breaza.

From 1942 to 1944 Dimǎncescu coordinated the paramilitary organization Romanian Youth Labour / Munca Tineretului Român (MTR)[5] from Breaza.

Awards

Dimǎncescu was received the Military Virtue Medal, the British War Medal, the Service Cross 1916-1919 – Tg. Ocna Bar, Furajera Medal of Mihai Viteazul and The Scouting Virtue award. The Dimǎncescu Local Center from Bucharest of the Romanian scouts was named after him.

References

  1. ↑ "Students From 20 Foreign Nations Answer College Roll Call", Springfield Sunday Republican, Nov. 22, 1925
  2. ↑ "Members of Class of 1926 at Springfield College", Springfield Union, June 3, 1926
  3. ↑ Cercetașul, revista Cercetașilor României, organ oficial al Comandamentului Marei Legiuni, nr.2, May 1930
  4. ↑ The Inter-Allied Games, Paris, 22nd June To 6th July 1919, published by the Games Committee, p.460, Cornell University Library
  5. 1 2 3 4 prof. dr. Nicu Alexe și colectiv, Enciclopedia Educației Fizice și Sportului din România, Editura Aramis, București, 2002, vol.I ISBN 973-85940-0-6, p.995, vol.II ISBN 973-85940-0-6, p.51, vol.III ISBN 973-8473-22-5, p.90, p.142-143
  6. ↑ Buletinul Educației Fizice, Organul Oficiului Național de Educație Fizică, Jan. 1924
  7. ↑ "România, învingătoare în concursul patrulelor militare de ski", Dimineața, Feb. 13, 1934
  8. ↑ "După izbânda românească de la Predeal", Gazeta Sporturilor, Feb. 16, 1934
  9. ↑ cpt. Ioan Dimǎncescu - INEF, "Muntele ca factor de întărire fizică și morală" (serie de articole), Gazeta Sporturilor, Jan.-Feb. 1926
  10. ↑ "Campionatul de ski și săniuțe pentru copii", Gazeta Sporturilor, Jan. 12, 1929
  11. ↑ "Concursurile cercetașilor la Predeal", Dimineața, Jan. 7, 1934
  12. ↑ Constantin Ciocoiu, Sinaia din amintiri, metropotam, Dec. 17, 2006
  13. ↑ Ion Săvescu, "Alpinism. Asociația Peleș", Gazeta Sporturilor, Nov. 9, 1926
  14. ↑ "Olimpiada Cercetășească", Realitatea Ilustrată, August 31, 1929
  15. ↑ Liliana Mușețeanu - coordinator, Bibliografie Radiofonică Românească, 1936-1940, vol.2, p.108, Societatea Română de Radiodifuziune, Editura „Casa Radio“, București, 2000, ISBN 973-98662-2-0, 973-99057-4-9
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