Katonah Celebrates the Long Service of William “Doc” Smith

Back in the 1920s, Katonah resident William “Doc” Smith began a lifelong affiliation with the Scouts when he joined in Cold Spring, NY. After completing his studies in pediatrics and serving as a Captain in WWII, he settled in Katonah to practice medicine. He also started his association with Troop 1 in Katonah. Thus, February 9, 2006 was marked at the Katonah Methodist Church to celebrate his 50 years as Scout Master of the troop. But the milestone’s significance was not meant to imply an ending of any sort.

“He’s always there for us,” said adult scout leader Otto Vondrak, “and Doc still tries to make every camping trip.”

All this while fulfilling the responsibilities necessary for the likes of those half his age on down. However, it takes more than endurance and providing a strong example to make a leader, according to Vondrak, who joined the scouts as an 11 year old. “Doc’s a true leader because he’s concerned about all the scouts and is interested in bettering each kid."

On the other hand, before taking any accolades, Doc Smith would rather credit the crucial scouting points of stressing God, country and community. “If you do all those things,” Doc said. “You’ll do just fine.”

Very simple and that’s the way John Jay senior Max Schwartzman sums up what Doc Smith has meant to Troop 1. “Doc is Doc,” Max said. “He just has a presence about him that you know it’s him.”

Otherwise, it also appeals to him how the scouts try to make you a better person and provide a task orientated curriculum. One which teaches young people to fulfill their academic and personal responsibilities.

Elois Schwartz agrees from the same experience as Max. An Eagle Scout herself, she passed down the tradition to her two sons and has been participating with the scouts since the 60s. “The moral aspect of the scouts has always appealed to me and them," said Schwartz.

And so does Doc Smith. “He's solid, true blue,” Schwartz asserted.

The mom also likes the attitude he brings, which remembers that boys will be and need to be boys. “He always let them get into mischief, but to a point that they could always get out of,” Schwartz revealed.

A point that apparently can go a pretty long way. Eric Ruscher spent two years under Doc as a 12 year old back in the early 70s. He remembered the excitement of being in the outdoors and learning responsibility and leadership through a system of merits and demerits.

But it’s Ruscher’s Brooklyn born wife who learned the lighter side of Doc Smith’s influence. After her husband convinced her that they should spend their honeymoon camping in the doctor’s cabin, Ruscher joked, “She’ll never let me live it down.”

Looking forward, the scouts never anticipate having a shortage of leaders. This even in the unlikely event that Doc Smith decides to slow down in the near future, according scout leader Jeff Berg. “The scouts represent the best program to train leaders for tomorrow,” said Berg, who promotes scout summer camp in the Adirondacks and has lived in Lewisboro for the last 30 years.

He re-engaged with the scouts five years ago and only met Doc Smith when he was still a young man in his early 80s. Nonetheless, last spring, “Doc ran one of the best competitive first aid training programs I’ve ever seen,” according to Berg.

In the end, Carol Cox, the churches pastor, gave thanks for a fine meal and the community’s opportunity to recognize Doc Smith. Of course, she couldn't overlook all the young lives he’s effected. “Thank God for Doc Smith and thank God for all the boys’ lives that have been changed by the Boy Scouts,” Cox concluded.

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