Andy Lennert poses with 33 of the 179 Eagle Scouts he mentored during his 50 years as a scoutmaster. MIDDLETOWN – Andrew Lennert has a new title and is proud of it as he leaves his post of 50 years as scoutmaster of Lincroft’s Boy Scout Troop 110.
“Before, they called me the ‘old scoutmaster,’ ” said Lennert, 82. “Now, I’m the self-proclaimed scoutmaster emeritus of Troop 110.”
Lennert passed on his official duties to the new scoutmaster of Troop 110, Thomas Bogart, the troop’s former assistant scoutmaster, in September.
A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Lennert started his scouting career by joining Troop 22 in Forest Hills, Queens, in 1937. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1942 and earned five Eagle palms. Through 1949, he served as the troop’s assistant scoutmaster.
“When I was a boy in my neighborhood, scouting was one of the few activities available,” said Lennert. “My friends joined, and so did I. We didn’t have all the opportunities and programs boys have today.”
A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, he attended the School of Forestry at Syracuse (N.Y.) University. After a two-year interruption for service in the Army during World War II, he returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in landscape architecture in 1950.
In 1952, he married Mary Alice Baker and settled his family of two daughters, Kathleen and Annemarie, who became Girl Scouts, and a son, Drew, in Lincroft. While working for the New Jersey State Department of Transportation in 1957, he was asked to become scoutmaster of Troop 110.
Since that time, approximately 1,000 boys of Troop 110 have been mentored by Lennert. He shared his love and experience of scouting, with the result that 179 members of Troop 110 earned the highest Boy Scout achievement, the rank of Eagle Scout, including his son. This achievement garnered Lennert three awards by the National Eagle Scout Association.
When asked what kept him involved with scouting for over 50 years, he simply replied, “It’s the same reason anyone stays in something. I enjoyed it and believed it was worthwhile.”
Lennert said there have been many changes in scouting over the years, including the boys who join. “Years ago, boys were more self-reliant and had more initiative,” he said. “Today, things are easier and there are more distractions. But I believe there will always be a core group of boys who will have an interest in scouting.”
Numerous scouting honors have been awarded to Lennert including, the Scoutmaster’s Key, the District Award of Merit and the Distinguished Eagle Award. Also, the Silver Beaver Award, given by peers, was bestowed on him for his work in scouting and for community service. In addition, community groups have recognized his efforts, such as the Kiwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and the township of Middletown.
Lennert has served scouting programs on a local and a national level as a member of the Monmouth Council Executive Board and been a National Council Member at Large.
To honor Lennert’s 50 years as scoutmaster of Troop 110, more than 100 persons attended a celebration at Jacques Caterers, Hazlet, Oct. 20. Peter Garra, committee chairman of Troop 110 and who has been involved with the troop since 1994, was one of them.
“I chose Troop 110 for my sons because of the excellent leadership and commitment of Andy,” said Garra. “All three of my sons, Peter, Michael and Robert, achieved Eagle Scout rank. It’s not only about badges and community projects, it’s about building leadership. Andy is unsurpassed in leadership.”
Lennert said he enjoyed the event, especially seeing former Scouts. “It was a retirement and a reunion party,” he said. “People asked what am I going to do now with all my free time. What free time? It takes me twice as long to get anything done these days. I have to fit things in, like traveling.”
Lennert said he is still available to assist Troop 100 in any projects that he can. Also, he said there are now seven grandchildren with varying interests in scouting to keep the family scouting legacy going.