When former Keystone Area Council President Jim Pannebaker passed away on April 28 at the age of 89, we lost more than a passionate Scouter who strongly believed in the Scouting program. When I suggested that Jim was akin to “a force of nature” to people who knew him well, they readily agreed. Put simply, Jim made things happen.
A lifelong resident of Middletown, Jim achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1951. After graduating from Middletown High School, he attended Elizabethtown College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and served as President of his class. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1961.
Jim was a veteran of the United States Army, serving three years as a captain in the JAG Corps from 1962 to 1965 in Aberdeen, MD. He went on to work for the Dauphin County District Attorney’s office before starting his successful law firm in Middletown, retiring after more than 40 years practicing law.
Jim devoted countless hours as a Scouting volunteer over several decades. He served as President of the Keystone Area Council from 1997 to 2000. During Jim’s tenure in that role, he guided the Keystone Area Council through a period of significant transformation. By the time his term ended in November 2000, the Council had eliminated a $300,000 deficit, increased summer camp attendance at Hidden Valley by more than 40%, and completed over $1 million in capital improvements to the camp. These upgrades included a significant overhaul of the dining hall, water system, and swimming pool, as well as the construction of adult showers, a new chapel, and a new health lodge.
During this period, the Scout Service Center also underwent its first major renovation since opening in 1979. Under Jim’s leadership, the Council earned Quality Council status for three consecutive years – 1997, 1998, and 1999 – marking a period of financial recovery, program growth, and infrastructure renewal.
“Jim totally immersed himself as Council President of Keystone Area Council. He visited Hidden Valley every weekend when troops/packs were in camp to listen to the adult leaders that he served,” said New Birth of Freedom Council Executive Board Member and Vice President for District Operations “Chip” Bayer. “His love of Scouting was evident as he led the charge not to close Hidden Valley for summer camp in the late 1990’s and took the Council from tight finances to operating in the black. Jim was a task master who made sure all the Board Members did their part to keep Scouting vibrant, while personally hosting a really fun annual picnic at his house.”
A Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, Jim received the Silver Beaver Award from Keystone Area Council in 1981. Jim served on the Executive Board of the New Birth of Freedom Council since its inception in 2010 and served on several committees.
During the merger study between the former Keystone Area and York-Adams Area councils that ultimately led to the creation of the New Birth of Freedom Council, Jim was heavily involved in that process. We spoke frequently during that study, discussing everything and anything about how our new council might function. While Hidden Valley was his special passion, Jim’s interests in building a successful council went well beyond that. He immersed himself in the details of how we were doing things, and when we met periodically for lunch, he offered a wide range of advice and suggestions. We didn’t always agree, but I always respected where Jim was coming from and how badly he wanted to see Scouting thrive in our council.
“Jim, for decades, was a passionate advocate for Scouting, and especially for Hidden Valley. He was a significant presence on both the Keystone Area and the New Birth of Freedom boards of directors, active in recruiting council-level volunteers and promoting fundraising events such as the Eagle Dinner and the Hershey Breakfast,” said former New Birth of Freedom Council President Matthew M. Haar. “Jim enjoyed meeting Scouters for breakfast and lunch, but they were no ordinary meals. The phrase “Be Prepared” was never more applicable than a breakfast or lunch with Jim, because Jim was always ready for a spirited discussion about what more we could be doing for Scouting – and he was notorious for arriving early.
“Most memorably, he loved working at Hidden Valley and recruiting others to work with him. Whether running a chainsaw, giving tours, or simply engaging with Scouts and Scouters, Jim was at home at Hidden Valley. He will be greatly missed.”
I attended Jim’s graveside service on May 9, which was an unseasonably cold and rainy day, and as I stood there, I reflected on Jim’s long and distinguished Scouting career and all he had done. He was truly one of a kind.
Jim’s obituary is available online at https://news.thesunontheweb.com/articles/james-boyd-pannebaker/.
Yours in Scouting,
Ronald M. Gardner, Jr.
Scout Executive & CEO
