Boy Scouts of America honor Belleville lawyer as Distinguished Citizen
The Greater St. Louis Council of the Boy Scouts of America recently presented Patrick Mathis of Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd. and Michael Wenzel of Wenzel & Associates with the 2021 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award for a lifetime of leadership and generosity to the community.
Patrick Mathis founded the law firm of Mathis, Marifian & Richter with Kevin Richter and George Marifian in 1984. In 2004, the firm moved to downtown Belleville where it was one of the early businesses investing in the redevelopment of downtown Belleville. The firm has grown to be one of the largest firms in the metro area with clients throughout Southern Illinois.
As a Belleville resident, Mathis has been active in a variety of community organizations including the SIUE Foundation, the Belleville CEO Board, the Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Program, and the Board of Trustees at Illinois College. Mathis, Marifian & Richter has also been a strong supporter of numerous local charities as well as Art on the Square, including sponsorship of the high school sculpture program.
Accepting the award, Mathis said, “This is about community, there are people every day that do a lot and never get recognized, but they are the real core of our community. … And the people who volunteer, who spend time and money to open a business, the people on city and county government, all of us working together makes this so special.”
Tribute speakers included Kevin Richter, Tom Denton, Patrick’s children, Daniel and Adrienne, and Kevin Stine. Daniel and Adrienne spoke about their Father’s love and dedication to his family along with his passion for fishing, the fine arts, and the community in which he lives.
His family, along with the attorneys and staff of Mathis, Marifian & Richter, attended the dinner to support Mathis.
The Distinguished Citizen Dinner benefited the Greater St. Louis Area Council, BSA which serves 3,700 youth in 63 counties in the Greater St. Louis Area. Proceeds help the organization continue its mission to provide character development, citizenship training and physical, mental and spiritual growth for young men and women in the community.
PHOTO: Patrick Mathis and his family, including his wife Rosanne, son Daniel and daughter Adrienne.
