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How in the world do we find our way in life? What determines who and what we become? I am not a philosophical person by nature. However, I am very thankful for the blessings of guidance, influence and character which had enabled me to become the person I think (and hope) I am. I would like to take a moment here to acknowledge two of the three greatest influences on my life. This will probably remain as the only autobiographical comments written about my life and activities. However, I think it’s important to acknowledge them.

The primary source of what and why I am the way I am is of course my parents, Jane and Bob LaBouy. I can never fully or adequately thank my parents for all they have done for me and the opportunities they both provided for me. I have attempted to mention some of that influence on my early growth and development, in my introductory notes.

Beyond my family life, I would talk briefly about both the Boy Scouts of America and The Delta Chi Fraternity.

Family photo album

My very personality and personal traits, aside from those imprinted on me by my parents and family life have been influenced by this single organization more than any other aspect of my life.

I am not different that the many other millions of young men who joined Scouting for a variety of personal reasons. In my case because I looked forward to being part of the Scout movement I had always heard and read about. My earliest Scout experiences in San Diego, Quonset Point, and Wakefield each left me with not only a framework upon which to attempt to pattern much of my life and behavior but also provided me with the basic adult male role models I honor even today. This is the standard and model of youth development Robert Baden-Powell envisioned over a hundred years ago and they are still critical in the development of many youth today. One of the most interesting, engaging and informative sites I've ever seen concerning the extensive history and background of the formidable individual is maintained by a very dedicated Scouter, Lewis P. Orans. I urge you to access his site and start to learn more about the founder of world Scouting brotherhood.

I have attached a separate page outlining an important aspect of my current acitivity in Scouting, that relating to the process of Advancement for Scouts. In particular, this page concerns the Eagle Scout advancement process we follow in our local Cascade District of the Chief Seattle Council.

I would also like to encourage those of you interested in looking at the sites maintained by the World Scout movement, our Chief Seattle Council, or Cascade District web site and that of the Boy Scouts of America, our national scouting organization. Each in turn includes numerous other very interesting links to the fascinating world of scouting.

As in the case with my remarks about Scouting, I am including a note about The Delta Chi Fraternity, because of its importance in my life. I would have not become the person I am today were it not for the experiences and guidance I received during both my undergraduate life at the University of Washington. I feel strongly because I realized even as an undergraduate that many of the young men I was associating with would probably become my fraternity brothers and close friends for life. I was also keenly aware of the character and strength of these men and the numerous alumni I men and learn to respect.

The Washington Chapter of The Delta Chi Fraternity is blessed with a large number of dedicated and accomplished brothers. Those who made the greatest impact on me, as an undergraduate included (in no particular order) Jerry Edwards, Ed Mihalski, Chris Edwardson, Ed Mihalski, Dave Chandler, Dick Edwards, Kit Hawkins, Tom Erickson, Don Davis, Wayne Striech and Manny Rouvelas. Washington alumni included Lew Armstrong, Ed Rich, Jerry Hunter, Bob Radwick, Roger Williams, Ed Allen, Lloyd Shorett, Scoop Jackson, Buck Owens, Roger Owley and Frank Granat. I have continued to enjoy a close relationship with most of these men since my undergraduate days at the University of Washington. They are, to a man, great people and I will always cherish my brotherhood with them each.

I was fortunate to be elected initially as a regional representative for our Fraternity and later as an officer our general Fraternity. As such it allowed me to work with and learn from such great leaders as Dr. Marsh White (Penn State ‘20), George Obear (DePauw ’30), Corney Smith (USC ’37), Joe Lacchia (NYU ’25), Jim Steffan (Ohio St ’22), Jimmie Underwood (Kansas ’51), Vic Johnson (Purdue ’32), Boyd Boehlje (Iowa State ’61), Fred Hammert (Okla ’60), Alex Vraciu (Depauw ’41) and Nick Gray (MO ’56). My work with the various undergraduate Chapters has taken me to all parts of this country to assist our chapter officers and to many of our National conventions. It is in the course of these efforts that I have rewarded in allowing me to work with the current future leaders of my fraternity and with man fine young men who will go forward to lead American industry, business and education.

A large measure of the success and operational success of our Fraternity has been attributed to our Headquarters Office, our Executive Directors and staff. They are the “professionals” and those who really insure the day to day success of our Fraternity. Of those I’ve been privileged to work over the last 35 plus years, several stand out as the models of efficiency, integrity and service. This include Ken Brasted (Fla. ’35), Ray Galbreth (Mo. ’69) and Marge Lee. For further information about The Delta Chi Fraternity, I urge you to not only connect through the link to their outstanding web site, but also to connect to the site maintained by the undergraduate Brothers at the Washington Chapter. Both are great!