Erich’s Scouting career began in Pack 489 of Conway School where he achieved his Arrow of Light. This led to his joining Troop 17 in the spring of 1994 where he showed steady and consistent progress towards his Eagle and increasing leadership responsibilities. Erich recently completed serving 13 months as the troop’s Senior Patrol Leader after holding the posts of Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.
As SPL, Erich performed admirably and was known as a well-organized, dedicated, and no-nonsense leader. His leadership was the driving force behind the success of the Troop’s 2001 Spring Camporee. He distinguished himself as an excellent planner and organizer for the event. He recruited the reviewers, instructed them, wrote the syllabus, and organized the event which culminated in one of the most successful and totally youth-run troop activities in many years.
Erich was also an active participant in the troop’s outdoor program – including campouts, camporees, hikes, and seven years at summer camp, earning the troop’s honor camper and field service awards. In 1997, Erich was elected by his fellow campers to the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national society for Scout honor campers. Two summers ago, Erich was part of the troop’s ten-Scout contingent to Philmont — BSA’s national high-adventure camp in the mountains of New Mexico.
For his Eagle service project, Erich enlisted numerous Scouts to help him construct a stone retaining wall creating a 200 square foot oval shaped raised flowerbed at the entrance of the Cape Albeon Retirement Center in Valley Park.
Outside of Scouting, Erich had an equally distinguished record. Without neglecting Scouting in any way, he managed to juggle numerous activities into his busy seven-day week. A four year member of the Symphonic and Concert Bands, Erich played 1st chair flute and was selected to the All-Suburban band, and received excellent ratings at the solo festival three years in a row. He was a marching band squad leader for both his junior and senior years.
He participated in the Science Olympiad — four-time St Louis team champion, Missouri team runner-up, and national qualifying teams, winning individually over 30 regional, ten state, and three national medals. Erich was also a member of the mock trial team which finished second at state. He also served as a member of the Ladue High Student Congress.
A straight A student with a perfect 4.0 GPA all throughout his junior high and high school years, he ranked number one in his class at Ladue high, was a member of the National Honor Society, and was a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist.
As an athlete, Erich was on the Ladue High School varsity tennis and cross-country teams all four years of high school - teams that have been ranked second and fourth in the state respectively. He was the co-captain of the cross-country team. Erich was also a top ten golfer in the St Louis Area PGA Junior League.
In addition to this, Erich also finds time to serve as the treasurer of his youth group at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Des Peres.
Erich completed the St. Louis Area Council’s Junior Leader Training Course, served as a Den Chief for Pack 489 and is a member of the Bakers, Troop Seventeen’s unique organization for older Scouts. For three consecutive years at summer camp he has also earned the Mile Swim Award, and wears the honor camper, honor patrol, and attendance ribbons.
Erich showed a variety of interests in his selection of optional merit badges, for example, Wilderness Survival, Archery, Wood Carving, Rowing, Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Basketry, Geology, Weather, Pioneering, and Canoeing.
Erich was subsequently appointed to the office of Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.
Erich Kiehl is an excellent example of what an Eagle Scout should represent – a well-rounded young man who maintains interests in Scouting, church, school, and athletics. A youth of quiet strength and depth, Erich has shown himself to be a person of strong moral character; responsible; conscientious; confident; mature; unselfish with a strong sense of duty and honor.
Erich Kiehl –
Honor Camper… Honor Patrol… Order of the Arrow… Baker… Leader… Athlete… Scholar… Musician… Eagle Scout
TROOP SEVENTEEN IS MIGHTY PROUD OF ERICH KIEHL