Scoutmaster Chuck Kmiec - We Will Miss Him

      Our long-time Scoutmaster, Chuck Kmiec, suffered a massive heart attack on August 31, 2006, and passed away.  Chuck was a mentor to many, a friend to all, and a unique leader.  The Troop knew him as a laid-back, friendly Scoutmaster.

      Chuck had been active in Scouts for most of his life, but his connection with Troop 923 began in 1995,  Chuck was at Owasippe when he ran into an old friend who was part of Troop 923, Jack Coussens.  Chuck mentioned that he was thinking about becoming more active at the troop level, and Jack convinced him to fill the troop's Scoutmaster vacancy.  The rest was history. 

     Chuck led an extremely active troop over the past 10 years, through good times and bad.  The troop always went to summer camp, and we had an outing every month.  Chuck led bike hikes, camporees, climbing wall outings, sailing weekends, canoe trips, whitewater rafting, trips to museums, U.S. Grant Pilgrimage outings, Trips to the U.S.S. Silversides, and the annual "Just for Fun" weekend at Camp Reinberg.  Chuck was an essential part of the annual Pancake Breakfast, and the Family Thanksgiving Turkey Cookout.

    Chuck had been a staffman at Owasippe, and the first to be nicknamed "Buddha".  He was well known among Council and District Scouters.  He received the District Award of Merit, and was a graduate of National Camping School, serving as Camp Director of the Hoover Outdoor Education Center in 2005 and 2006.

   Chuck was an originator of the Silver Squirrel Award, and received the award posthumously.  Chuck knew, since he was one of two people who nominated the recipients, that he would never receive the award.  The Troop Committee made the award by acclamation, and the medal was placed at the wake, without fuss or ceremony.  Chuck was buried in his Scout uniform, with the Silver Squirrel, his troop neckerchief, National Camping School neckerchief slide, Eagle Mentor pin, troop belt buckle, Order of the Arrow Brotherhood sash and Owasippe Lodge flap patch.  He is buried at St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetary, 6800 Milwaukee Avenue, Niles IL.

Please click on the link to the troop photo albums to view more pictures of Chuck with the Troop.