Bob Podewils
Bob Podewils was a fixture of Troop 423 from the earliest years of the Troop, being one of the Troop's earliest Eagle scouts, earning Eagle in 1966. In fact, Bob returned home after basic training in the Armed Services to be awarded his Eagle before heading off to Vietnam, where he was a flight mechanic working on helicopters.
Like his father before him, Bob was a ScoutMaster with the troop for many years, he was an OA Vigil member and proud Army Veteran.
Bob made a lasting impression on the troop, the scouts and leaders. He loved teaching scouts about plants and shrubs, physical fitness and patriotism. He was also an avid swimmer and skier, and had been known to unceremoniously toss leaders and scouts into the water to take their swim tests at camp.
He also loved to tell the same stories over, and over, and over again, and took particular joy in indoctrinating new scouts with his jokes.
"You see that tree there, that's a beech tree... Now you see that litte tree beside it?... That ones a son of a beech."
Bob passed in November 2017. My friend, has gone home.
Bob was buried with military honors at Calverton National Cemetery, not far from Schiff Scout Reservation, which he loved. Stop by, i'm sure he would love the company by the fire.
Calverton National Cemetery
210 Princeton Boulevard Rt 25 Calverton, NY 11933
Section 52A; Site 823