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Honoring Moon Township’s Memory Maker
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By Pat Jennette |
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As a
dentist, Dr. Robert A. Jockers took care of
the dental needs of people in Moon Township
and surrounding areas. As a historian,
Jockers helped preserve the legacy of the
community where he lived for over 50 years.
His interest in and passion for preserving
the history of his hometown will now be
honored and remembered, thanks to the Dr.
Robert A. Jockers Memorial Archives Room.
Space for the room was dedicated in the Moon
Township Municipal Building last month.
Jockers passed away May 18, 2013 at the age
of 80.
The dedication coincides with the 225th
anniversary of the founding of Moon
Township.
Jockers formed the Old Moon Township
Historical Society in 1975, and over the
following eight years served as its
president. He coordinated the society's
bicentennial project by locating an original
log cabin, which he helped dismantle, move
and reconstruct in Robin Hill Park. The
cabin is available for tours and is
furnished in the period in which it was
built.
In 1988, Jockers’ manuscript on 18th and
19th century Moon Township was published in
the township's bicentennial book. He also
wrote articles about different aspects of
Moon Township history that were subsequently
published in Pittsburgh History Magazine.
He also wrote and directed, in 1990, a
documentary entitled "Born American." The
film depicts life in early Moon Township.
Another historical society member, Ron
Potter, assisted with the production.
Jockers’ last, and equally significant gift
to the community, was a hardback, 237-page
book he researched, wrote and published
entitled "Forgotten Past: A History of Moon
Township, Pennsylvania." |
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In honor of his historical research and
preservation work, the Old Moon Township
Historical Society wanted a space, in
Jocker's memory, where the community's
archival history could be preserved. The
society was looking for a place to put
books, materials, maps, photos and other
items he collected over the years. Earl
Edwards, current historical society
president, along with longtime historical
society member Don Maloney, learned that the
township had a small room available. |
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"Don recognized and supported what Bob had done for Moon
Township for many years," Jocker's wife, Doris, explained.
Among
the historical materials needing preserved, Doris said, were
books and other archival materials that the late Mary
McDonald, a Moon resident, accumulated. These materials were
previously held at Robin Hill.
Ron
Potter and his late wife, Pat, sorted through the materials
and picked what they felt were most important. Lora
Dombrowski, township code administrator, is meticulously
organizing the materials in the room by category.
The
Dr. Robert A. Jockers Memorial Archives Room will be open to
the public by appointment. Residents are welcome to peruse
materials for reading or research. Materials will remain in
the room, and are not permitted to be removed.
In
the preface of Jockers’ book, the first line states, "This
book, in a sense, is a legacy to the future generations of
Moon Township."
Jockers created his own legacy by dedicating a lifetime to
preserving the history of his hometown. In his honor and
memory, the history room bearing his name will preserve
much of
the work that he started 40 or more years ago for those
future generations he writes of in the first line of his
book. |
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