Title...
Proclamation honoring the life, memory and legacy of The Honorable Robert J. Powers and extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Body...
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert J. Powers, longtime friend and faithful McCandless Town Council President, passed from this life, at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on September 11, 2015 at the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powers grew up in Mars, Pennsylvania, where he attended classes in a one-room schoolhouse; and
WHEREAS, a Korean War veteran, Mr. Powers, served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powers graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned graduate degrees from Westminster College and Duquesne University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powers retired in 1994 from the Quaker Valley School District after 34 years as a math teacher and Assistant Principal at Quaker Valley Junior High School; and
WHEREAS, on January 7, 1974, Mr. Powers became a Commissioner/Councilman of the Town of McCandless, and on January 4, 1982, he was elected to serve as Council President, a position he held for 33 years; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Mr. Powers was instrumental in achieving balanced growth in McCandless while maintaining a high quality of residential life. He forged the creation of the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority, determined the present location of the Community College of Allegheny County North Campus and played a key role in the location and construction of the Northland Public Library. He guided the acquisition of over 100 acres of land for both passive and active uses, including the creation of Wall Park and its protected wetland, created and implemented the deer management program in 1997, directed the formation and evolution of storm water management controls, created traffic improvements for the McCandless portion of McKnight Road, and ensured an optimal level of government services in a stable tax and financial climate; and
WHEREAS, in addition to serving as Council President, Mr. Powers served on many government boards, including Chairman of the Municipal Risk Management Workers Compensation Pooled Trust, President of the Pennsylvania State Council of Governments Association, President of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners, and Chairman of the Executive Board of the North Hills Council of Governments; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Mr. Powers was awarded the “Good Government Award” from the Pennsylvania State Senate, the “Good Government Award” from the North Hills Jaycees, and the “Exemplary Intergovernmental Cooperation Award” from the Intergovernmental Cooperation Program, Inc. He also received the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives Citation for Public Service and Good Government, and the Superintendent’s Academic Excellence Award from the Quaker Valley School District; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powers was a founding member of St. John Neumann Parish, where he served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powers, an avid sportsman, enjoyed his many hunting and fishing trips and especially the time he spent at his family lodge in Centre County. He was a Charter Member and Past President of the Herder Spring Hunting Club; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Powers was married to his wife, Joan, a teacher, for 57 loving years; and
WHEREAS, father of three grown children - Robert, Kelly and Timothy - and loving and doting grandfather, Mr. Powers was always proud of his extended family;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Allegheny County Council does hereby honor the life, memory and legacy of The Honorable Robert J. Powers, and we extend our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Mr. Powers always acted in the best interests of the town and constituents of McCandless, working tirelessly and lovingly for the good of his community, and he will be greatly missed.