Walck in Scouting for the long haul
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Richard Walck has received many awards during his 45 years of service to the Boys Scouts of America. The national office sent him a letter of commendation.

As a child he never earned a badge or went hiking through the woods with the Boy Scouts, but he made up for lost time as an adult. Richard Walck, 78, Greencastle, became active in Scouting in 1962 and never looked back.

In recognition of his 45 years of volunteer service, the national office of Boy Scouts of America recently honored Walck. He also received its highest award, the Silver Beaver, in 2000.

"I got started because my sons were in Boy Scouts," said Walck. "I joined the committee for a year. I had experience in camping, fishing and hunting. The Scoutmaster didn't."

That year hasn't ended yet. Walck served in many capacities with Troop 90 in State Line for over 20 years, and now is Unit Commissioner for Troop 99 in Greencastle. He is the liaison between the troop and the Mason-Dixon Council.

"Boys will be boys," he noted. "Boys haven't changed, but prices on activities have."

When his sons Richard and Jeffrey went to Scout camp, the fee was $17 for the week. It is now $200.

Certain events stand out in Walck's mind as he participated in the many Scouting opportunities.

He was Assistant Scoutmaster at the 1981 National Jamboree, which brought perhaps 20,000 people to Fort A.P. Hill, Va.

"I don't remember who he was but I met the king of a small island there."

He enjoyed a day trip with the boys to Washington DC for the Lincoln Historical Trail Hike. They visited a number of spots Abraham Lincoln had frequented.

He remembers a bicycle trip along the C&O Canal, 184 miles over three weekends. One boy rode into the canal, two were stung by yellow jackets, and several snuck out of their tents to go to the drive-in movie in Cumberland.

Walck is a retired electrician for Fairchild Aircraft Company. He is a lifetime member of the Rescue Hose Company and belongs to the Greencastle Sportsman Club. He is also active in the Franklin County Sportsmen for Youth, which provides an annual field day for area youngsters.

He still hikes and camps with the troop when he can, but had a conflict during the April camporee at Antrim Township Community Park.

"It was also turkey season, so I went hunting," he said with a smile.

Walck is an ardent supporter of Boy Scouts. His sons earned Eagle awards. He himself has found benefits from the program.

"I got to go places I'd never have been. I got to see things I'd never have seen. As far as I'm concerned, Scouting is one of the best organizations in the world."

And he has now been a Scout longer than he has not been a Scout.