Mount Prospect Scouting leader remembered for commitment to youth
Bob Heuser was the epitome of a good Scout.
The Mount Prospect resident, who died Jan. 29 at age 76 after a long illness, devoted more than half a century to Scouting, including about four decades with Boy Scouts of America Troop 23, a group he led as Scoutmaster for 14 years.
Mount Prospect Mayor Paul Hoefert, a friend and longtime member of Troop 23, said the group was down to five Scouts when Heuser and several dedicated parents rebuilt the organization.
“He saved the troop when it was almost ready to disband, back in the early ‘80s,” friend and fellow Scoutmaster Tom Quinlan said.
Heuser’s son Tim said that during his father’s tenure the troop grew to almost 90 boys.
Heuser grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago and worked as an electrical engineer. He developed his passion for Scouting when he was young and became an Eagle Scout.
His efforts with the Scouts earned him the Silver Beaver, a high honor for distinguished service, and he was a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. The Village of Mount Prospect recognized his service with a Shining Star Award.
“His whole life was Scouts,” said his wife, Joan. “He was so proud of those boys.”
“They say the drive and the skills that they learned, not just from Scouts but from my dad specifically, is what helped them in their careers,” Tim Heuser added.
Heuser said his father created interesting Scouting through diverse programs that incorporated activities including canoeing, skiing and hiking.
“He would be the one that would see a kid that was a little bummed out on the outing, and he would go and sit with them and talk with them, and 20 minutes later the kid is playing in the field and excited and wanting to be there,” Tim Heuser said.
Quinlan said Heuser was involved in more than 100 Eagle Scout projects since the 1980s, ranging from restoring conservation areas to creating butterfly gardens. He also led many High Adventure treks, such as canoeing trips in Canada, backpacking treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and sailing trips in Florida.
“Bob was a strong advocate for wilderness survival skills and winter camping training, and he generously shared those skills to improve the outdoor experience for everyone,” Quinlan said
Joan said she and her husband enjoyed camping, and recalled a time they came across a bear in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains.
“(He said) ‘Get the camera. Go a little closer,’” she said. “I’m like, ‘What are you, nuts? You go close to the bear.’”
Hoefert said Heuser was a friend and a mentor in Scouting, teaching him how to be an adult adviser and how to run high adventure treks.
“Most importantly, he taught me how to be a better person,” he said.
Heuser is survived by his wife and sons, Tim and Erik. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Community Presbyterian Church, 407 N. Main St., Mount Prospect.