A bronze plaque, mounted on a large urn in the Mahlon S. Kemmerer Park in Jim Thorpe, was unveiled and dedicated Sunday in memory of an individual who devoted nearly four decades to maintaining and improving the recreational complex.

The plaque was in honor of the late Robert “Bob” Handwerk, who died in March 2022.

Handwerk, an architect, served on the Kemmerer Park Board for nearly four decades until his death. He served as chairman of the association for many years. He became active in the association after purchasing the historic Harry Packer Mansion in 1984 and restoring it.

The stately mansion stands on a hill that overlooks the park, next to the Asa Packer Mansion.

Besides working diligently on restoring the park, Kemmerer devoted time and resources into rehabilitating the Harry Packer Mansion, which had begun falling into disrepair. He converted it into a bed-and-breakfast.

The building’s design is so impressive that it was the inspiration for Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion.

About 30 people attended the plaque unveiling.

Present was Handwerk’s widow, Pat; their son and daughter-in-law Taylor and Kristen, and grandson Greyson.

Jack Sterling, who succeeded Handwerk as president of the Park Association, was the main speaker. He stood next to the newly painted, black urn which was adorned with colorful flowers.

“On this beautiful and crisp spring day we’re here to remember Bob Handwerk,” he said.

He recalled how Handwerk excelled at many improvement projects but yet kept a low profile. Sterling said it was mostly because of Handwerk that the park now has a basketball court, new benches, upgraded playground equipment and Macadam paths.

Sterling also mentioned the late Ben Walbert of Jim Thorpe, also an architect, who worked closely with Handwerk on the project and also had served on the Park Association.

Pat Handwerk said of her late husband, talking to the Park Association members, “He loved you guys and he loved this park.” She said he spent “hours and hours with his grandson” at the park.

The Handwerk family members and Sterling lifted the covering to reveal the new plaque.

John Drury, a member of the Park Association, read a poem epitomizing Handwerk.

Members of the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency and various other officials of the community attended. Michael Yeastedt, vice president of Jim Thorpe Borough Council, was present.

Also in attendance was lifelong Jim Thorpe resident Edith Lukasevich, age 95, who said she was thrilled seeing the improvements made at the Kemmerer Park. She said, “I’ve been coming here since I was five years old.”

She is the mother of Carbon County Commissioner Chris Lukasevich.