Gerald A. Speedy died Sunday at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pa. He was 98.
Before moving to Willow Valley Retirement Community in Willow Street, Pa. in 1987, Mr. Speedy served on the Princeton Parks Commission during the period when the present parks system was developed. He was also ordained as Elder in Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton and later became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, Pa.
Mr. Speedy began his professional Scouting career as director of Cub Scouting in Minneapolis, Minn. where he helped pioneer the younger boy’s program. He also wrote program materials for the national organization and in 1938 he wrote the first How Book of Cub Scouting for the National Council.
In 1940, he was appointed assistant national director of Cub Scouting and in 1949 he became the national director of Cub Scouting. While working in the national office, Mr. Speedy wrote Cub Scout Handbooks, The Cubmaster’s Handbook, The Den Mother’s Handbook and other pieces of scouting literature.
In 1952 Mr. Speedy was appointed assistant national director of the program division of the National Council of Boy Scouts America and was promoted to director in 1957. He was responsible for the program aspects of several U.S. Jamborees, which each comprised approximately 50,000 Scouts. He also led the U.S. contingent to the Greek World Jamboree.
Mr. Speedy also devised and directed Operation Reach, the first anti-drug abuse program of the Boy Scouts of America. The program was assisted by the National Institute of Health.
Husband of the late Alice M. Speedy, he is survived by his second wife, Ruth Mayer Speedy; sons and daughters-in-law Robert A. and Patricia of Lakewood and Richard B. and Mara of Hopewell; grandsons and granddaughters-in-law Matthew and Michele of Toms River, Kent and Noelle of Toms River, Todd of Bayville and Emiliano of Hopewell; and great grandchildren Tim, Taylor, Kayla, Colin and Sam.
The date for the memorial service has not yet been determined.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Speedy’s memory can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 140 East Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602.
Arrangements are by the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home, Lancaster, Pa. To send online condolence to the family, visit www.kearneyasnyderfuenralhome.com.

