Revered scoutmaster to step down
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 
WALTER BRYANT
News staff writer 
Walter Rush, longtime scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 320 at Mountain Brook Presbyterian
Church, will step down from that role and be honored Feb. 4 at a troop ceremony. 

Under his leadership - 10 years as an assistant scoutmaster and 12 years as scoutmaster
 - the troop has produced more than 100 Eagle Scouts. 

Former troop members cite his positive influence on their lives. Even mothers of former
Scouts speak highly of Rush. 

"Walter builds character and life skills," said Sarah Relfe, whose son, Mitch, now
attends the University of Alabama. 

Mitch Relfe, who attained Eagle in 2002, said Rush and scouting made him a better
person. 

"When I joined Troop 320, I was a very shy kid. I was not a leader and never had been,"
he said. "But I came out of my shell and learned how to lead people and became the
senior patrol leader, the head of the troop." 

Bill Rowe, who reached Eagle in 1993 and is now a financial adviser with Smith Barney,
said Rush taught about life. 

"I learned from him to take responsibility for what you are passionate about," said
Rowe. 

Those who have worked closely with Rush cite his skill in leading a large organization.


Donald Guthrie, an assistant scoutmaster of Troop 320, said Rush built the troop
membership to more than 125 at one time. He said that is about four times the size of
many average troops. 

He said Rush inspires every member to be goal-oriented regardless of how far they
advance. 

"He instills in a boy at age 11 a goal he can accomplish in four or five years," Guthrie
said. "He reminds you that you are working for Eagle, even while you are doing knots." 

Rush encourages new members to set an intermediate goal and attain it quickly, Relfe
said. He challenges newcomers to reach the rank of First Class, midway up the hierarchy,
within their first year. 

 
"Mr. Rush wants everyone to make Eagle, but it takes a lot of work," Relfe said. "Even
at Tenderfoot you learn a lot." 

Nationally, 3 percent of all Boy Scouts reach Eagle. Guthrie estimates that 25 percent
of Troop 320 members have reached Eagle during Rush's tenure. 

Rush did not reach Eagle and says scouting has a bigger goal. "Being in scouting is
about character training," he said. 

Rush's father was a scoutmaster, too, and took him camping, hiking and hunting, which
instilled a love for the outdoors. His love for the rugged life led him to serve in the
20th Special Forces of the Alabama Army National Guard from 1967 until 1973. 

The discipline Rush learned in the Green Berets helped him in life and in Scouts. But
scouting is a volunteer organization in which young men can't be ordered to advance up
the ranks, he said. 

"You get them in with activities, but you keep them in with love," Rush said. 

Rush has made scouting a family activity, and all five of his sons are Eagles. His
daughter was active in Venturing, a scouting program for older teens. And his wife has
been an active supporter of scouting. 

Rush knows scouting leaves a lifelong impact and its importance to boys is greater than
badges, campouts and gaining higher ranks. 

"We are making better husbands and fathers for the next generation," said the
62-year-old insurance salesman. "If you make Eagle along the way, that's fine with me."