I had the opportunity to tell the many people who attended George Gimbel Jr's funeral about early contacts with this unique individual. Some additional comments are included here.

It was probably 1938 when George led a group of us second class scouts on a hike to Bear Swamp, to qualify for the 14 mile hike needed for 1st class. George was frequently at the evening camp fire in the old council ring to lead songs and tell some fantastic stories, some of them actually believed by younger scouts.

Being a great swimmer and life guard instructor he introduced ice rescues on Lake Vreeland. After cutting a hole in the ice, a reluctant scout would jump into the ice cold water and a rescue procedure would follow. Paul Wiggin always marveled at this endeavor; he had worked closely at the YMCA with George. This was eventually discontinued, it is assumed, by the scout council, which may have questioned this approach as being beyond BSA water safety requirements!

Everyone knew about "Gimbel's Cabin" in the NE area of the 800 acre Glen Gray property near Alligers Lookout, from which one could see the NY skyline. Here hundreds of boys learned about scouting and outdoor life from a man who led by participation and example. They loved the area and returned time and time again. George was scoutmaster of Troop 3 Glen Ridge for well over 50 years and the cabin was continually used during this period. It was a wood frame building, with plain glass windows which contained the notice, "Poison Gas." This was intended to discourage intruders; it worked for years, until the building burned down.

In the spring, scouts tapped maple trees in the area using the sap to produce maple syrup; this was a big project. Troop 3 undertook construction of a replacement fire proof concrete block building. It even had a shop planned for the basement. With the decline in scout enrollment (Troops 1, 3, 55 etc. are now just one troop in Glen Ridge), the replacement cabin was never finished. The structure can be seen by those who want to take a short hike. The cabin was also accessible using his Jeep on a rough road, an extension of Fox Brook Crossing. To make the woods road more usable George would collect large tin cans which would be crushed and put on the road along with shingles and old carpeting.

They got their drinking water from Rattle Snake Spring located near by. For winter activities they dammed up a stream to form a pond for skating.

During the War we had gas rationing and the allowance was meager. George had to travel from Glen Ridge to General Foods in Tarrytown, N.Y. every day, and would need more fuel than he was allowed. He owned at least two Willey’s Jeeps. Being an ingenious fellow and a good mechanic, he devised a plan to conserve gasoline. He would switch over to a tank containing kerosene (not rationed) and then back to gas before stopping. In this way he could start the vehicle on gas.

George joined Boy Scouts as a 12 year old in 1929 earning the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1935 he began training the adult volunteers in First Aid through the Red Cross and in 1937 began Swimming Training at the Montclair YMCA.

In the 1940's he became the Scout Master of Troop 3 Glen Ridge and started a long history of canoeing with the unit. Starting in 1946 began 6 day canoe trips on the Delaware River. In the 1950's he led a group of boys on a 73 day expedition out west that included a trek to Philmont (the Boy Scout National Training Center).

The following summer he led 2 week wilderness canoe trips including one 100 miler through the Algonquin National Park in Canada. These trips continued until 1974.

He was an Old Guard member being called in 1938. He was awarded the Silver Beaver for his work not only with boys but for his work as a trainer and camp volunteer for the Council.

Recently he was made an Honoree in the Glen Gray Hall of Fame.

He will be missed and long remembered by the hundreds of scouts, Scouters and parents who were privileged to know him, but he will not be forgotten.

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Last updated: November 3, 2008

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