Scottdale recognized one of its finest citizens. Robert Wingert was recently named the borough's "Citizen of the Year."
Originally from Dubois, Wingert was raised on a four-generation family dairy farm.
A desire to further his education sent Wingert to Penn State, where he studied business administration. After receiving his undergraduate degree at Penn State, he continued his education at Franklin and Marshall College, near Lancaster.
During his first semester there in 1942, an Army recruiter visited the school. That changed his life.
"He said, 'Boys, I'll tell you what we're gonna do.'" The recruiter told the college boys that if they would sign up with the enlisted reserves, their active service would be deferred until after graduation. So Wingert and several others made the trip and enlisted.
"Well, then he returned in February 1943 and said, 'Boys, all that has changed,'" recalled Wingert. Soon, Wingert was on his way to military camp in Texas for 13 weeks of training. When his unit was sent to Africa, Wingert, having tested for a special program, was sent to different universities and programs, studying engineering and civil engineering.
He was then shipped to Europe and spent the next several years in many different locations throughout World War II.
Wingert remembers traveling through Scotland and England at night during strict blackout periods.
"I traveled the whole way through Scotland and England and never saw a thing."
He was made a second lieutenant "because they were running out of second lieutenants" and was given command of the 71st Division only weeks before the war ended.
He was lucky, he returned home from the war uninjured.
"I was so lucky, so blessed. God was looking out for me."
Upon his return, he secured a position with Penn Lines and moved to the Scottdale area. While enjoying lunch one afternoon at Conways Restaurant, he met Lucille Bonaffino.
"After a period of mutual admiration," they wed and have been married for 56 years. The couple has three sons.
"It was hard at times but we managed," Wingert said.
Wingert retired from Penn Lines in 1987, serving in different capacities during his career, including company president for the last several years before his retirement.
Wingert has dedicated many years Scottdale and the surrounding communities.
He spent 25 as an active member of the Lions Club. He also served and held different offices on the Frick Hospital Board, the Health System Board, and the Frick Hospital Diversified Board. He is currently the president of the Frick Hospital Foundation.
Wingert has helped with the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign, the Cub Scout and Boy Scout organizations, and is active with the United Church of Christ, where he served as an elder and a deacon, and also taught Sunday school.
To keep fit, Wingert works with light weights and aerobics four to five times weekly at the Scottdale YMCA. For pleasure, he sings with a barbershop quartet as lead melody, visiting and entertaining at area nursing homes and rest homes.
Every spring he finds time to help his friend, Archie Miller, of Indian Head, make maple syrup.
"Last year we won first place at the Fayette County Fair and this year we won second," Wingert said.
Wingert felt honored to receive the distinction of Citizen of the Year from the borough.
"I have found that Scottdale is a good place to raise a family. I'm not a native, but I have made many friends and found a lovely lady as a wife. She is wonderful and very patient."
Scottdale Mayor Pat Walker praised Wingert as a major contributor to the town.
"He is a motivator. When he volunteers, he goes in wholeheartedly," said Walker.
Walker added that the Wingerts are very special to the community.
"We're lucky to have them here in Scottdale. They're a lovely couple and they're always doing something in the community," concluded the mayor.
