My Scouting career really started when I was 10 years old and found a Boy's Life Magazine. After reading it over and over again, memorizing the Scout Promise and Law, I couldn't wait until my 11th birthday so I could join the Boy Scouts of America. I joined Troop 255, sponsored by the Kelvinator Management Club on Clyde Park and Chicago Drive where I spent the next 7 years. The memories of summer camp, Order of the Arrow, camp outs, hikes, being a Den Chief, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and earning my Eagle with two palms in 1964 was the highlight of my early Boy Scout days.
When my youngest son Rob wanted to join Cub Scouts with Pack 3245 at St. Isidore Catholic Church, after signing him up, I was handed a piece of paper, and after asking what that was, I was informed that this was my den. A little taken back, my mind took me back to my Boy Scouting days and the fun I had and so my Scouting career was once again a big part of my life and my four sons.
I've been a Tiger Cub partner, Den Leader, Coach, Cubmaster, worked on staff for Day Camps, Day Camp Director, Cub Roundtable Commissioner, District Training staff and a member of the old Catholic Committee on Scouting.
I've earned the District Award of Merit, Distinguished Commissioner Service award, most of the Cub Scout training awards but the ones that mean the most are the Bronze Pelican and St. George award presented to me by my peers.
I took some time off from Scouting but kept thinking about getting back into it, but just wasn't sure where I'd fit in. God has given up time and talents to be used in ways we sometimes aren't aware of. That all changed with I received a call from Deacon Leo Ferguson fro St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church asking if I'd consider being a member of the new Catholic Commitee on Scouting for the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Here was the answer I was looking for. I meet with the Committee and became a member of the training team headed by Deacon Leo. At the same time, I wanted an outlet to get the word out to the Catholic Scouting community on what the committee had to offer.
I registered as a Unit Commissioner within Eagle Spirt and have now moved up to being the Assistant District Commissioner responsible for all of our Catholic units within Eagle Spirt. I was just presented with my 26 year veterans card and hopefully, can add a few more years onto that.
I've been married to my wife Jane for 37 blissfull years and have 4 sons, two are married and have presently 2 grandsons and another one on the way. Over the years I've been active with my sons in Scouting, coaching baseball & basketball, serving as an usher, counter, worked church bingo, Couples Club. Currently, my wife and I are involved at our home parish of St. Anthony of Padua. We are involved in the Marriage Sponser program, Giving Tree, Dinner Club, Church Festival and work on the Foundation for Education auction each year. I have retired from Spectrum Health as a Buyer after 28 years.
My goals as the new Religious Traing Chair is to promote, train and give our Scouts the opportunity to earn their religious emblems as both Cub and Boy Scouts. The Scouting principals I learned as a Boy Scout years ago have stayed with me and continue to serve me well in my everyday life.
Mr. Ungrey was recently recognized by the Gerald R. Ford Council and awarded the Silver Beaver for outstanding service to youth in June, 2010.