Black Eagle Lodge Reconnects with Transatlantic Council Alumnus Dr. Art Tate

Fresh off an unforgettable trek through the rugged backcountry of Philmont Scout Ranch, members of the Black Eagle Lodge had the privilege of reconnecting with one of the Transatlantic Council’s most respected Scouting leaders Dr. Art Tate.

The visit was an opportunity to celebrate a lifetime of service to Scouting. Achwon Woapalanne Chapter Chief Nick, designer of the Transatlantic Council’s 2026 Month of the Military Child patch set, and Associate Lodge Advisor Rick Galeano presented Dr. Tate with a Certificate of Appreciation recognizing his decades of dedication to the youth and volunteers of the Transatlantic Council. The certificate was accompanied by a Month of the Military Child council shoulder patch, a Black Eagle Lodge lodge flap, and a commemorative “250” dangle celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States.

An Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, Dr. Tate’s Scouting journey began in South Florida before continuing overseas during his distinguished 26-year U.S. Army career. Assigned to Germany for more than a decade during his distinguished U.S. Army career, then-Major and later Colonel Tate became a cornerstone of the Transatlantic Council. He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 1 in Heidelberg and was affectionately known as “Mr. Scoutmaster” for Wood Badge at the original Camp Freedom in Dautphe, where he mentored many new leaders. In recognition of his extraordinary service, he received the highest council-level distinguished service award, the Silver Beaver Award, in 1971.

Although his military service and later career as a public school superintendent eventually brought him back to the United States, his connection to the Transatlantic Council never faded. Throughout a distinguished 26-year Army career and more than two decades as a public school superintendent, Dr. Tate remained a steadfast advocate for Scouting and its mission of preparing young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes.

Many Transatlantic Council volunteers also remember Dr. Tate as the keynote speaker for the Council’s 2021 Virtual Scouter’s Annual Conference. At a time when the global pandemic challenged Scouting in unprecedented ways, his inspiring message reminded volunteers of the enduring importance of servant leadership, resilience, and the lasting impact of Scouting.

Former members of the Transatlantic Council continue to speak fondly of then-Scoutmaster Tate and the influence he had on their lives. During the Council’s 75th Anniversary celebration last year, Derrick Jones of Oceanside, California, shared memories of his time as a Scout in Troop 1 in Heidelberg during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Jones remembered Art Tate as a leader who was deeply committed to the spirit of Scouting and passionate about Native American culture, participating in numerous Pow Wows that enriched the Scouting experience for countless youth.

“He left a tremendous impression and impact on all of us. To this day.”

Today, Dr. Tate remains active in Scouting, continuing to embody the values that have defined his lifetime of service.

Presenting the Certificate of Appreciation in Florida was a fitting way to recognize a man whose influence extends far beyond the places he served. His legacy is measured not only by the positions he held or the honors he received, but by the generations of Scouts and leaders whose lives he helped shape through his example of integrity, humility, and selfless service.

The Transatlantic Council is proud to celebrate Dr. Art Tate and his extraordinary legacy. We thank him for his lifelong commitment to Scouting and for the lasting example he continues to set for Scouts and Scouters around the world.