For Kevin and Cete Rupprecht, Scouting has never been simply an activity — it has been a lifelong source of leadership, service, friendship, and family connection that has shaped generations.
“We both came from a Scouting families,” Kevin says. “My father and his brothers were Scouts, my brothers and I were Scouts, and now my sons and grandsons have all benefited from the experience as well. Cete's brother was also a Scout, and her father was Institutional Representative for his Troop."
Kevin’s own Scouting journey began in Cub Scouts and continued through Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Life Scout, served as Senior Patrol Leader, and was honored with the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow. One of his most memorable experiences as a youth was planning and leading a 50-mile canoe expedition through the Adirondacks — an experience that challenged him to lead, problem-solve, and work as a team.
“That trip taught me a great deal about leadership and responsibility,” he recalls. “And the values I learned through Scouting stayed with me throughout my career and adult life.”
Over the course of his career at Abbott, Kevin found a remarkable connection between the leadership principles taught in Scouting and the culture of Abbott itself.
“There was tremendous synergy between the training I received through Abbott and the leadership development I experienced in Scouting,” he says.
Abbott’s emphasis on time management, project management, financial stewardship, and succession planning became tools Kevin used extensively in his Scouting leadership roles. At the same time, Scouting’s leadership training — particularly Wood Badge — helped him become a more effective leader at Abbott.
“Wood Badge taught me how to build and lead truly high-performing teams,” Kevin explains. “That training directly influenced how I led my research group at Abbott.”
Throughout his professional career, Kevin also leaned heavily on the values instilled through Scouting.
“In my role at Abbott, networking and collaboration across many different groups were essential,” he says. “I relied on Scouting values to guide my interactions with others and help create successful outcomes.”
Kevin and his wife, Cete, carried that same commitment into raising their own family. Both of their sons became Eagle Scouts, and now their grandsons are continuing the tradition as well.
“For Cete and me, Scouting became our ministry,” Kevin says. “We’ve seen firsthand how it shapes young people into capable, ethical, service-minded adults, and we wanted others to have those same opportunities.”
Over the years, Kevin has served in nearly every imaginable Scouting role — Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, Advancement Chair, District Chair, Council volunteer, Family Friends of Scouting Chair, Audit Committee Chair, Investment Committee member, and many others. Cete has also been deeply involved, supporting membership, fundraising, training, and youth protection efforts.
Together, they have dedicated countless hours to ensuring Scouting remains strong for future generations.
“The greatest reward has been watching young people grow,” Kevin says. “Our units have produced more than 125 Eagle Scouts, and we’ve watched Scouts go on to service academies, military service, advanced degrees, and leadership roles in their communities.”
For Kevin, Scouting’s impact goes far beyond awards or accomplishments.
“The timeless values Scouting teaches are more important than ever today,” he says. “It develops ethical leaders, teaches resilience and teamwork, and creates lifelong friendships and networks of good people.”
When asked what he would say to supporters of Scouting, Kevin’s answer is simple.
“Supporting Scouting is really supporting your own community,” he says. “Scouting develops the next generation of leaders, employees, volunteers, and citizens. It’s one of the best leadership development programs available for young people today.”
Looking ahead, Kevin and Cete hope Scouting will continue providing life-changing opportunities for generations to come — just as it has for his own family for decades.
“We want future generations to experience the same growth, values, friendships, and sense of purpose that Scouting gave to us.”
