Old Scoutmasters

My scoutmaster passed away this past Friday age the age of 94.

I am one of seven kids. My parents divorced before I was 2. I had a step dad for my formative years, but he and I kind of just tolerated each other. My role model was my scoutmaster, Mr. Limpert (or affectionately Old Man Limpert). He was scoutmaster long after he had boys in the troop. That he would take the time to pay attention to an eleven year old ADHD poster child is amazing to me. If Ritalin was available when I was growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s I would have been on it. I know I tried his patience frequently, but he never lost his temper. Just a deep, gravelly voice, would boom out, “Mr. Ellison, please come see me”. The leaders of Troop 95 would keep a coffee pot on the fire from Friday night to Sunday morning. That thing would be as black as night by the time we were ready to break camp. In variably a scout would be chosen to clean that pot as the leaders packed their gear. I “received” that honor on more than one occasion. Mr. Limpert would sit and have his last cup of coffee while I scrubbed. Talking about nothing or everything. There were a couple of times I did something to make sure I was chosen just so I could have that time with him. I’m sure he knew it, but I felt like I was getting away with something. Besides my Mom, he did more to shape the person I became than anyone else. I wrote a paper about him in college and shared a copy with him. I got an “A” from the professor and quiet “Thank You” from him. I’m so glad I shared that with him. We would still see each other at Ephiphany since he was an active member of the church. I would always say “Hello Mr. Limpert”. I could NEVER call him George. I never made Eagle, but stayed in until I aged out. I loved everything about Scouts; camping, fishing, hiking, shooting…all of it except working on merit badges. Needless to say, I was never able to present him with an Eagle Mentor Pin (if even they were a thing back in the early 80’s) until today when I gave him one that one of our Scouts honored me with.

I know we all wound up as Scout leaders primarily because we had sons in the program, but I also wanted to pass on a little of what he gave me.

God Speed Mr. Limpert, and I’ll clean the coffee pot.

Submitted by: Kevin Ellison of St. Louis, MO