Charles Kincade
Mr Paul Dutcher was the Asst Scout Executive in Clarksdale, MS, where I grew up. I was in the Boy Scout program from the time I was 9 to 18 years old. As the Asst Executive, he was in charge of the Scout District's Camping Facility "Camp Tallaha" near Charleston, MS. My first year, in 1959, I ran the camp Trading Post selling snacks and equipment to campers. I returned in 1960 as Quartermaster and took care of the equipment, checked it out, checked it in, and repaired damaged equipment. That was a great job - I really only worked Sunday afternoon for check-out and Saturday morning for check-in. Mr. Dutcher's daughter, Janet, was in my class. Mr Dutcher was a prince to me. During my first tour at the camp, I had an emotional melt-down because of situation that had occurred in camp. He came into the Trading Post, put his arm around me, and walked me out to one of the benches in front of the Mess Hall. He just calmly talked to me for 15 or 20 minutes, as a parent would talk to their child. I'll never forget the humanity he showed. In 2008, I Googled his name and phone number and found that he was living in DeRitter, Louisiana. I called him and we talked for a long time. I doubt that he remembered me or that incident, but he did say that he really liked living in Clarksdale. I believe the Dutcher family moved after I graduated from high school. He became the Scout Executive in Louisiana.There are just a few people in this world who really make a difference. Mr. Dutcher was one.