Moon Featured Stories

   
 
 
Honoring Moon Township’s Memory Maker
By Pat Jennette
 

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."

 
   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.
 
The late Dr. Robert A. Jockers with a copy of his book “Forgotten Past: A History of Moon Township, Pennsylvania.”  Jockers The Jockers family traveled from near and far to attend the dedication of the archives room in Robert’s name.   Jockers1 lightbox text jqueryby VisualLightBox.com v5.9
 
   
 
     
     "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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