Stephen Limbaugh Sr. to receive Good Scout Award on Thursday

Editor's note: The following story has been edited to clarify attribution of a quote.

Former U.S. District judge Stephen Limbaugh Sr. will be honored at the Dr. James A. Kinder Good Scout Award Dinner on Thursday at the Plaza Conference Center by Ray's.

Hosted by the Boy Scouts of America Greater St. Louis Area Council, 100 to 150 people are expected to attend, development director Marc Tenholder said. John M. Thompson, president of The Bank of Missouri, will be master of ceremonies.

The theme is "Don't Judge a Hero by the Size of His Cape," a reference to the Boy Scouts' neckerchief, Tenholder said.

This is the second Good Scout dinner. The first honored the Dr. James A. Kinder Jr. family. Kinder, who died in 2000, was a local physician, volunteer and community leader who was passionate about Scouting.

Kinder, his sons Frank, James III, Mark and Peter and grandsons Nick, James IV, Hunter and Will were all Eagle Scouts. Frank Kinder is honorary chairman for the dinner and Keith Holloway is the chairman.

Frank Kinder said Limbaugh is the logical choice for the Good Scout Award.

"He's had a lifetime of service to the community, and even the nation. He was a Boy Scout himself and a troop leader at one time in his life and exemplifies the values of Scouting. ... He's a man of sterling character. ..." Kinder said.

Steven Limbaugh, Jr., said the award is a "wonderful honor" and noted his father, an Eagle Scout, has been involved in Scouting from the time he was a boy. "It's an honor for the whole family because all of us have been involved in Scouting in a fairly significant way for three generations," Limbaugh said.

A reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.

Space still is available for those who would like to attend. Call 800-392-0895. There is no ticket price for this year's dinner, but everyone will be asked for a donation, Tenholder said. The fundraising method is one seen in Scouting throughout the country, and it's been successful because it helps bring people out to hear the Boy Scouts' story, he said.

Kinder said organizers are trying to make this a focal point for fundraising for Boy Scouts.

"Having been an Eagle Scout myself, I know that the things that you learn in Scouting are invaluable ... for your life," Kinder said.

Tenholder said dinners like this are "extremely important" because they're a chance to tell the Scouting story, celebrate and honor community heroes and raise some money.

Boy Scouts will lead the pledge and offer an invocation. Colt Wahl, an Eagle Scout from Troop 250 in Perryville, Mo., will be the Scout speaker for the evening, a biography of Limbaugh will be read and the judge will speak, Tenholder said.

The award Limbaugh will receive is a bronze statue -- with his name inscribed on it -- of a Scoutmaster, wearing a hat and carrying a hiking stick.

Wahl, a 16-year-old Perryville High School student, is an Eagle Scout. He'll be featured in a video shown Thursday night for his heroism in getting his father, Danny Wahl, medical attention after he fell 20 feet from a hunting stand, shattering both ankles.

Danny Wahl and his wife, CarolAnn, and one of Cole's two sisters plan to attend the dinner.

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