by Dick Martin, KTA Life Member
Ever hike the Bob Webber Trail? Remember the hiking staffs near the trailhead? Bob provided them for your convenience. The short but steep trail, located in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Lycoming County, ends at a spectacular vista of the Pine Creek Valley, making the hike well worth the effort. That’s what Bob was all about.
Bob worked in forestry for about 40 years. After retiring in 1988, he stayed active (to put it mildly), giving back to Pennsylvania. He lived without electricity and without a phone—just a cabin, with a piano, on the west side of Pine Creek for Bob and his wife, Dottie, and their cats. Dottie passed away about 2 years ago. Bob’s friends remember his astounding knowledge of history and the forests; I guess you could call it “institutional knowledge.” They also remember the camaraderie and his singing voice (if you never heard of Al Jolson, look it up).
In addition to his work clearing and maintaining many miles of footpaths in the Tiadaghton State Forest, Bob led hikes for many years. You might remember him from KTA’s Prowl the Sproul or the Slate Run Ramble.
If you didn't know Bob, learn a bit about him at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Forest-Trail/138986026278448 and at http://wnep.com/2013/11/26/16-salutes-bob-webber/.
The gentleman at P.O. Box 15, Slate Run, is gone. Old-school, but young in heart. One speed—full speed ahead. That was Bob.
He passed away on April 21, 2015, at age 80. I guess there are trails in heaven that need some work.
Photos of Bob are being collected and shared here.