Pictured, from left, Unit Commissioner Lisa Cassel, Joel Robertson and Priya Robertson.

KOSCIUSKO —  Awards were presented to the widow and son of the late George Robertson at the Claypool Lions Club, 201 W. Calhoun St., Claypool, Thursday, March 28, at the end of the Cub Scout Pack 3770 meeting.

Robertson, the former Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation president, passed away Feb. 23, after a battle with cancer.

Robertson’s widow, Priya, and his son, Joel, accepted the awards on Robertson’s behalf.

George Robertson, photo provided

Robertson was well known in the community. He joined KEDCo in 2010 as the organization’s first full-time executive director.

One of Robertson’s lifelong passions was the Scouts. As an Eagle Scout, he continued to play an active role in the organization. After arriving in Kosciusko County, he became a Cub and Boy Scouts leader and helped develop the first successful Scouting pack in the Claypool/Silver Lake area. 

Even during his battle against cancer, Robertson continued to dedicate much of his free time to the Scouts and served as the Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 3770 until the time of his passing. 

According to Lisa Cassel, Unit Commissioner for Cub Scout Pack 3770, membership on Dec. 31, 2015, was at 36. The number had declined to 18 by Dec. 31, 2017. 

“George recruited 34 new Cub Scouts in 2018 as he inspired Claypool area families,” said Cassel. “Over 80 percent of these new Cub Scouts earned their Bobcat Badge. His peers nominated him for, and he received, Eagle Scouter of the Year in 2018.” 

Cassel continued on by saying that Robertson is deserving of the council patch for bringing Scouting to the Claypool area and other ways he supported Scouting in that district.

“Back when we were having the Lincolnway District award dinner, George was supposed to receive some awards that day — and we all got the news that he had passed away that morning,” said Cassel. “Tonight I’m going to present those awards to Priya and Joel.” 

Cassel presented Priya and Joel with Robertson’s membership card for Scouting, a council patch and a Cubmaster’s Key, as well as an Animal Cracker Award, which read, “This place would be a zoo without you.”