When his two sons started scouting, Bob returned as a scout leader. For the last 30 years, he has served Scouting America in various positions, most recently as Chairman of the National Religious Relationships Committee (NRRC), whose mission is to build and support strong relations with all faith traditions affiliated with Scouting America.

Whether he is mentoring scouts, serving God at the altar, or modeling respect for different faith traditions, Bob sees it all as part of a single vocation: forming young people of character, grounded in faith, service, and respect for others.

Ad Altare Dei Emblems for Catholic Scouts

One of the more meaningful parts of his scouting ministry has been guiding scouts as they earn their Catholic religious emblems, especially the Ad Altare Dei ("to the altar of God") emblem. This award for middle school-age scouts requires a rigorous six-month program of study of the seven sacraments, as well as service projects.

Bob shared that when he earned the Ad Altare Dei as a youth, “it was the second most difficult thing I earned in scouting.  For that award, a scout puts in intense work in really understanding what the sacraments are about.” Bob now witnesses the reward of scouts learning more about their faith and encouraging each other to pursue their religious emblems.

Science and God’s Design

As an electrical engineer, he admits, “I have always had a scientific mind, so I have always looked at things practically.”  This interest in how things worked coincided not only with scouting but with a burgeoning curiosity about God and how God designed the universe.

Even as a preteen, Bob recalls that his curiosity about the world was fostered by both scouting and his mother’s encouragement. Scouts famously go out into creation, where Bob’s early sense of wonderment about God grew. “When you go out into nature, you begin to think, ‘How does all this work? How could all this come to be?’ Eventually, it leads you to God.”

At home, his mom would give him appliances to try to fix. In the process of learning how things worked and seeing if he could put them together successfully (or not), these early engineering experiences spurred his curiosity in God’s design that lies behind all things, even human kindness. He mused, “Out of all of God’s creatures, only people will do something purely because it is the right thing to do, not because it benefits them in any way.  To me, this is what it means to have a soul: to do good without expecting anything in return.”

Ministering and Maintaining Friendships with Other Religions

Bob and his wife are Eucharistic Ministers at Queen of Apostles, where they have raised their four children. As Chairman of the National Religious Relationships Committee, he has discovered another way to serve God: by maintaining relationships with scout leaders from other faiths.

Bob also described an interfaith opportunity at the scouting National Jamboree, an event held every three to four years.  In the Duty to God area where Bob serves, large tents are filled with booths representing many different religious traditions where scouts are encouraged to explore freely, fostering understanding and unity among young people of different faiths. “A kid can wander in and say, ‘Tell me about Judaism,’ or ‘Tell me about Lutheranism,’ or learn why Sikhs wear turbans,” he explained.

Most importantly, Bob added, the experience helps young people understand that scouting is for everyone. “We want every scout to find God within their own religious tradition.”

Bob’s own Catholic faith remains continuously bolstered by his wife, his scouting community, and his parish. “My relationship with Christ is built and strengthened through the people I am with, especially my wife.” He added with a laugh, “She’s the one who makes sure we never miss Mass even if we are camping deep in the woods on a weekend.”

Bob shares that other Catholic scouters also help keep his faith strong. “I feel closer to Christ because of all the support I receive from the scout leaders I work with, especially those on the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.” For him, this community support is all part of God’s design.

Through his various ministries, Bob has discovered a lifelong path of faith, service, scouting, and learning, and he is inspiring young people to do the same.