Silver Sage Awardee (Class of 2008) Jack L. Rhea passed away Friday, May 7, 2010 in Bethlehem, PA. He was 94 years old. Jack and his wife, who died in 2009, made their home with their daughter Julie in Bethelehem for many years after Jack retired from the professional ranks as Assistant Chief Scout Executive.
Jack, a Philmont icon, served as Director of Camping (now know as “Program Director”) from 1954 to 1964. Many innovations that are still a part of Philmont evolved under his leadership. He is credited with having formed the Ranger program along with Clarence Dunn and “Doc” Loomis in 1957. The Philmont expedition as we know it to today began during his administration. Tent City and Ranger City were constructed during his tenure. And the list could go on.
Jack served in combat as an officer in the U.S. Army during WW II. He was awarded the Bronze Star for gallantry. He continued his service in the reserves after the war and retired at the rank of full Colonel.
In addition to Julie, the Rheas have three other children, Carol (MacArthur) and Bart of New Jersey and Ronald of Idaho. They spent their formative years at Philmont.
Ned Gold
It is with great sadness that I see Jack Rhea has passed. I do note some confusion in the coverage of his dates of tenure at Philmont as Director of Camping/Program. The June High Country, in a brief note of his passing, list his directorship as from 1954 – 1964. Ned Gold’s writeup in the newest High Country suggests Jack was at Philmont for at least a part of 1963. There is no doubt that A.J. “Skipper” Juncker was Director of Camping/Program from, at least, camping season 1963 through to the end of camping season 1964, so if Jack Rhea was associated with Philmont during any part of 1963, it was before camping season. I remember him very fondly and with high regard. The “unexpected” presence of Skipper Juncker for camping season 1963 brought about a number of unwelcome changes with a lot more direct involvement from “BSA National”. It was kind of the end of the “good ol’ boy” system, direction from within Philmont. Juncker came to Philmont from a successful tenure directing Region 7 Canoe Base, among other things. Several contemporary Philmont department neckerchiefs recognized this with crossed canoe paddles as part of their design. If current Pholk never heard of Jack Rhea, I’m sure Skipper Juncker would be equally unknown.
Always enjoy your “High Country” publication. I appreciated your article on Jack. He was around the first year or two I was at Philmont.If you have heard this one don’t read on—
Circa 1959 There was a council in the Detroit area that sent out a large contingent each year. One of the GM plants in the area was a big Scout promoter and GM furnished their massive Olds VistaCruisers for the trip They were in several colors, There were five scouts and a driver/advisor to each vehicle. On the sides there was the name of each scout and a map line from Detroit to Cimarron. The first and last VistaCruisers were driven by Mich. Highway Patrol officers and painted in the typical colors of their fleet. It was a very impressive 15-17 cars as they made their way to New Mexico. It is my understanding that there was a waiting list for their sales when they got back.
The pavement stopped at Cimarron and the road out to headquarters was dusty gravel. One afternoon Jack got a call that the fleet was in Cimarron and were ready to be picked up. Jack informed the tour director that we had plenty of secure parking out at the Welcome Center. An argument then ensued because the director did not want to take the shiny new VistaCruisers out on that unpaved road. Jack was just as adamant that they would not be picked up by bus. After further discussion the director informed Jack that if they didn’t get picked up by bus he would proclaim far and wide about how uncooperative the Philmont management was’
Jack then told the director that if they didn’t come on out he would let it be known that GM didn’t have enough confidence in their paint jobs/finishes to take their vehicles off the paved road. Ten minutes later the fleet was at the Welcome Center.
Have a great fall .
Gene Klingler,MD