Francis J. Podbielski was inducted into Ordeal Membership on June 12, 1976 through the Ojibwa Chapter of Owasippe Lodge #7. Quickly seizing the opportunities made available to him by Chapter Adviser Norman C. Buettner, Francis became the Chapter Treasurer, and then Corresponding Scribe. He served as the last Chief of Ojibwa Chapter in 1979 and the first Chief of Achewon Chapter in 1980 (after a merge of Districts/Chapters). After a difficult start, he was called upon once again to serve as Chapter Chief in 1983 for a third and final term. As a youth, he served as the Chairman of the first three Chapter Fellowships (and continued to serve in that role for the next 17 years as the Chapter Adviser and Annual Fellowship Adviser). He went on to serve as the Owasippe Lodge Corresponding Scribe in 1979 and 1980. It was the junior officers during his terms as Chapter Chief that would go on become subsequent Chapter Chiefs over the next seven years. For his outstanding service to the Lodge and the Council he was called to the Vigil Honor on May 23, 1981 – being given the name “Wischiki” – Busy One.
During his subsequent 17 year tenure as Chapter Adviser with Anthony F. Young as his Associate Adviser, his youth officers developed an alternating, annual District aquatics/land based merit badge clinic, were the first in the Lodge to computerize their membership records and mailing roster, coordinated the annual kick-off dinner for the District each year, provided camper scholarships each year for summer camp and Philmont programs, hosted Lodge events such as the Fall Fellowship, and provided personnel for the Lodge summer inductions ceremonial team. These junior O/A officers became his core staff during his four year tenure as District Chairman which he started at age 29 while a general surgery resident in training. The same youth officers banded together as adults to form a Council Properties Committee headed by Scott A. Peterson (a former Chapter Chief) that managed $1M in repairs at Owasippe Scout Camp. Dr. Podbielski served on the inaugural medical staff at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at the Summit.
Outside of Scouting, Dr. Podbielski served annually as a volunteer surgeon for one week in rural Bolivia, and has held major leadership roles in his local Knights of Columbus Council, the U.S. Section of the International College of Surgeons, and in the American College of Chest Physicians. He holds an academic appointment as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Podbielski’s vision continues to motivate Scouting volunteers at all levels. He is the driving force behind the Owasippe Lodge Vigil Alumni group which gives them the opportunity to continue their service to the Lodge through financial support and resource networking. He is Lodge Historian and has conducted multiple personal interviews with Arrowmen inducted in the 1920’s, carefully documenting their experiences for generations of future Arrowmen to reflect upon.
He is married to Anna M. Montes – a Vigil Honor member of the Arrow.
Dr. Podbielski’s tenure of unbroken service, strategic vision, and spirit of selflessness speak to his recognition as a Centurion of Owasippe Lodge #7.