Well done, Honest Abe

Honest Abe has called it quits after 33 years as a Boy Scout leader.

Chris Peterson, known as "Honest Abe" to Boy Scouts in the region because he resembles former President Abe Lincoln and has told stories about the respected historical figure at group outings, has retired after serving as director of the area's Old Missions and David Thompson districts of the Inland Northwest Council.

"Boy Scouts teaches good values to kids, and I've loved being a part of the program," said Peterson, who lives in Spirit Lake. "It's been an awesome experience working with great people."

The Old Missions District is in Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties. The David Thompson District is in Bonner and Boundary counties.

Peterson, 59, said he stepped away from scouting partially because he wants to spend more time with his 26-year-old son Zerin, who is attending North Idaho College after breaking his neck six years ago on a Slip 'N Slide.

"His mom has been carrying the load, so I wanted to help and spend more time with him," Peterson said of his wife Mary Beth. "I've been working a lot of nights and weekends, so I want to focus on helping him."

Peterson is not an Eagle Scout, but both of his sons, including 23-year-old Javan, are.

"I'm obviously proud of both of them," Peterson said.

With his gentle demeanor, lanky stature and beard, Peterson was a natural to impersonate Lincoln at scout events.

"I'm a big story teller and song leader," he said. "I got to know Abe's stories well and would dress up."

Peterson enjoyed the part.

"Lincoln was a good man, had good values and stood up for what was right," he said. "The kids would get excited and come up to me and say, 'You look like Abe.' I had a lot of fun with that."

Peterson said he plans to maintain the look and hasn't ruled out helping out with scouts in the future on a limited basis.

"But my board is getting more gray," he said.

Peterson started his career in Boy Scouts 33 years ago in the Crossroads of America Council in Indiana as an associate district executive. He served with that council for five years.

After a year out of the organization, he took a district executive position with the Great Alaska Council based in Anchorage, Alaska, and worked there for 17 years.

Peterson accepted the district director position with the Inland Northwest Council in 2002.

As a local leader, he worked with volunteers and led several council programs and committees. He served as camp director of Camp Easton from 2002 to 2010.

"During his tenure at Camp Easton, Chris built a strong staff and program that now sells out every summer," said Tim McCandless, CEO of the Inland Northwest Council. "Chris is known for his enthusiasm, hard work and tremendous knowledge of scouting. Chris is admired and appreciated by scouts, parents, leaders and staff throughout our region.

"I will always be grateful to Chris for his friendship, loyalty and, most of all, for being an incredible role model to my three sons as they each worked on the Camp Easton staff."

Rhonda Paulson, who handles public affairs for the Coeur d'Alene Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Peterson will be missed after helping out with recruiting, training, camps, banquets, Klondike Derbys, food drives and Scout-a-Rama.

"He has given his days and many nights in service to this organization," Paulson said.

Peterson, who has a degree in natural resources management, said he may seek part-time work in that field in the future.

"I've always enjoyed working in the woods," he said. "After working 33 years with kids in the outdoors, I may go back out into the woods again."