For Richard Leet, Scouting’s values of honor and truthfulness were something to take seriously. As a result, he worked hard at Scouting throughout his life. That hard work meant that when he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at age 13, he was the youngest in his home state of Missouri to reach the rank. As an adult, his hard work as a volunteer carried him all the way to the office of president of Scouting America.

Richard also extended his servant leadership beyond Scouting, serving on the boards of The Ohio State University Foundation, Northwest Missouri State University Foundation, and Brenau University. He also completed a term as president of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

Outside of his charitable work, Richard pursued a career in the petroleum industry. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he turned his attention to his education, earning a Bachelor of Science from Northwest Missouri State University and a doctorate from Ohio State University. Richard then joined Standard Oil Company of Indiana as a research chemist, remaining with the company in numerous management capacities for more than 39 years, and retiring as vice chairman of Amoco Corporation.