Leadership, Service Is At Greendale Resident's Core

Like many, Greendale resident Tim Seipel started with the Boy Scouts when he was a kid, and he continued all the way into high school.

He never could have guessed he would still be going several decades later. But so it is that, more than 20 years after he began as a volunteer—and more than four years after the youngest of his three sons graduated—Seipel still serves as the scout master for Troop 506.

And though he doesn't like the attention, his long history of service garnered him the highest honor possible for an adult scout volunteer: the Silver Beaver award.

"I'm very humbled by it," Seipel said. "It isn't the reason I've ever done anything, but it's just a nice honor."

Any resident who has attended Greendale's Memorial Day and Fourth of July events has probably seen Seipel, who marches and regularly rounds up American flags for scouts to fly.

In addition to those holidays, Seipel has the troop help wherever it's needed, whether it's flag ceremonies at the state Capitol, the recent Greendale anti-bullying effort or at the American Legion Post.

Participating in those programs helps develop character and a sense of citizenship for the boys involved, Seipel said.

"That's what we're about—helping others through service," he said. "If you ask us to help, we'll help."

Besides local events, Seipel has spent the past 20 years attending weekly meetings and overnight camping trips, chairing committees, organizing summer camps and traveling to national jamborees.

His community service doesn't stop with the Boy Scouts, either—he's also active in his church, St. Alphonsus. All the while, he's worked full-time as a master plumber for the past 31 years.

Jeff Mantes started volunteering in the troop in 1993, about the same time as Seipel. While he has nearly as many years of service, Mantes said the time he's put in doesn't compare to Seipel.

"I look at the things I've done and I feel Tim's done twice as much," Mantes said.

But for Mantes, Seipel and other long-time Boy Scout volunteers, they keep at it to ensure young people develop good values, Mantes said.

To kids, the camp-outs and other events might just seem like a fun weekend away. But they're also learning lessons—responsibility, leadership—that will translate into other areas of life, Mantes said.

"These are our future leaders," Mantes said. "These are people we look upon to run this place one day."

Seipel left the organization after high school but re-entered when his oldest son became interested. He started volunteering after thinking about those adults who helped him, he said.

Seipel also gave credit to the many other volunteers in the organization.

"Yeah, I do a lot, but I wouldn't be doing it if others didn't do it too," he said. "I can't do it by myself."

Seipel joked that after receiving the Silver Beaver award, the pressure is on.

"Now it makes me feel like I need to do more," he said with a laugh. "I've earned this award, now I have to walk the walk."