Recognition after 75 years as a Scout

Robert Inglis first became a Scout in 1932.

By: Lea Kahn
   Robert Inglis can scarcely remember when he was not involved in the Boy Scouts of America, which is not surprising since he has been part of the organization for 75 years.
   Mr. Inglis, a former Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 28 in Lawrence, was honored by the Mercer Area District of the Boy Scouts of America for his commitment to Scouting at its annual recognition dinner Sunday at the West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company in Ewing Township.
   On display at the dinner were the 87-year-old Mr. Inglis’ Boy Scout uniform from his days as a member of Troop 12 in Trenton, plus the fur boots and mittens he wore when he took part in an expedition to Greenland as a 17-year-old.
   "I don’t go on hikes anymore," said Mr. Inglis, of Skillman Avenue. But he still attends Troop 28’s weekly meetings and serves as the liaison between the troop and its sponsor, the Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church.
   Mr. Inglis joined Boy Scout Troop 106 in Sheridan, Wyo., as a 12-year-old in 1932. The family moved to Wyoming because his stepfather was a meteorologist for the U.S. Weather Bureau. When the family returned to Trenton in 1936, he joined Troop 12.
   Soon after Mr. Inglis returned to Trenton, his path crossed with C. J. MacGregor, a U.S. Weather Bureau meteorologist he had met in Wyoming. Mr. MacGregor, who had set up the first regularly operating weather observation network in Alaska, was now working in Newark. The two became reacquainted at a Boy Scout banquet, which featured Mr. MacGregor as the speaker.
   When Mr. Inglis learned that Mr. MacGregor was planning an expedition to Greenland, the young Boy Scout offered his services. A short time later, a surprised Mr. Inglis received an invitation to join the expedition. He accepted and embarked on the 15-month expedition to the Arctic, using many of the outdoorsman skills he learned as a Scout.
   "It was the biggest event of my life, you might say," he said. "It was the highlight of my Scout career. I owe them (the Boy Scouts of America)."
   Mr. Inglis switched his membership from Troop 12 to his present troop in 1939 when he learned that Troop 28 had lost some of its adult leadership. He became an assistant Scoutmaster and eventually moved up to Scoutmaster, serving in that post from 1946 to 1950, and from 1961 to 1964. He has continued to be involved in Scouting with the troop.
   He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 28 in 1943. In those days, a Scout had to earn enough merit badges to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, regardless of age. The cut-off today is 18 years of age, but Mr. Inglis was 23 when he earned Scouting’s top rank.
   Of course, the Boy Scouts of America has changed since Mr. Inglis joined 75 years ago. The requirements to attain the rank of Eagle Scout have changed to include organizing and carrying out a project with the help of other Boy Scouts.
   "There are more up-to-date merit badges. For example, there is a merit badge in aeronautics and a merit badge in computers," he said. Merit badges are earned by demonstrating mastery of a skill or knowledge associated with the merit badge.
   The Boy Scouts of America also has changed its focus, from being an adult-run organization to one that is run by the boys — with some adult supervision. The Scouts plan their activities and learn from their own mistakes, he said.
   Mr. Inglis said the Boy Scouts of America’s ideals and goals have always held a special appeal to him. He noted the Boy Scout oath and laws, which calls on its members to live clean, healthy lives. The outdoor activity also attracted him to the organization, he said.
   "If you are interested in being outdoors, getting exercise, fresh air and sunshine, the Boy Scouts of America is the place to go. You learn how to become self-sufficient," Mr. Inglis said.