Alden Barber, 81; Former National Chief Executive of Boy Scouts

Alden Barber, 81, a Boy Scout who grew up to serve 10 years as national chief executive of the Boy Scouts of America, died Friday in San Ramon, Calif., of a stroke.

Brought up in Chico, Calif., Barber joined the Scouts when he was 12. More than six decades later he detailed his lifelong dedication to the organization in his 1994 book, “Recollections and Reflections, 50 Years in the Boy Scouts of America.”

Educated at Chico State College (now Cal State Chico), Barber began his professional Scouting career in 1940 as a field representative in Santa Monica. After time out for service in the Army Air Corps toward the end of World War II, he worked as a Scout executive in West Los Angeles; Marysville, Calif.; Sacramento; and the Chicago area.

Barber served as national chief executive from 1967 until his retirement in 1976. During his tenure, he consulted with three U.S. presidents and traveled on five continents, discussing Boy Scout projects. As head of the U.S. Scouts, he expanded its Explorer program to include special interest groups, admit girls and launch its High Adventure Program. Barber worked diligently to enroll more minorities and urban youngsters in the Boy Scouts.