Recognition Reception Honoree
Thomas J. Smerke

Thomas J. Smerke, a lifelong resident of Abington Township, is a 1958 graduate of Abington High School.  Tom’s is truly an Abington family as his brother, John, and sisters Phyllis Croke and Barbara Endres all graduated form Abington in 1949, 1951, and 1959, respectively.  Tom’s ties to Abington ran true from his beginnings at Overlook Elementary School, through Abington Junior High School, and finally to Abington High School.  His professional life was also spent in this community at Penn State Abington, formerly know as the Penn State Ogontz Campus.  There he served as Postmaster of the campus and as an instructor.  In fact, he ran a bike club and taught courses in bike repair and safety.  In addition, he directed the Outing Club, taking students on a wide variety of trips.  Tom retired from Penn State University in the mid 1990s.

Tom is well known for his many years as the exemplary scoutmaster of one of the nation’s outstanding Boy Scout troops, Troop #72 in Overlook Hills.  This troop is one of the scouting movement’s leaders in producing Eagle Scouts and is renowned for its camping, canoeing, and biking expeditions.

During his 40-year tenure as Scoutmaster, Tom was named the “1982 National Scout Master of the Year.”  Previously, in 1972, he was honored with the “Order of Merit” for Outstanding Service to Scouting.  In 1996, he received a Congressional Certificate to commemorate, at that point, his 35 years of service to scouting.

In 1983 Tom was named “Chief Ogontz” for his service to Penn State University.  He also received the “Vigil Honor” award and the “Order of the Arrow” for his scouting work.  He has authored the Eagle Scouting Guidebook and other scouting publications throughout his tenure.  These are but a few of the many community and service awards for his outstanding record in scouting.  This gentleman is also among the leaders in the Boy Scouts of America for the number of Eagle Scouts produced during his career of Scoutmaster of Troop #72. 

Tom could very well be named “Mr. Overlook Hills” as his residence and devotion to the many boys and young men who passed through Troop #72 have led him to be recognized throughout that community as well as greater Abington Township.  He has stated that he is proud to be part of our broader community.  He related that his boy scouting experiences and reduced eyesight led him toward community service.  He attributes Abington’s strengths to the cooperative collaboration of many adults combined with a strong base of outstanding youth. He truly believes that Abington is one of America’s “100 Best Communities.” 

Beyond his amazing scouting career, Tom was instrumental in ensuring that the Roychester Community House continued to be run by the neighborhood Board of Managers and serve as a focus for a wide variety of community activities.  He was always willing to provide a financial base to help launch community projects, such as the mid 1980’s playground renovation in Overlook Hills and park beautification projects over the years.  Tom is probably one of the community’s earliest and strongest proponents of bike helmets; no rider ever rode with or departed from Tom without wearing one!  A major project of interest to the entire community was Tom’s work in the restoration of the magnificent pipe organ in Glenside’s Keswick Theatre.  As with so many of the projects he undertook, Tom used this one as well to involve his boys.  He believed in taking every opportunity to keep kids off the street and they then learn skills that might prepare them for jobs.  Many also know Tom as a wise friend and counselor to parents and children during difficult times. 

Tom continues to be a visionary and would like to see the many community projects which are underway brought to fruition.  To this he adds, “New visions must arise and be considered and implemented.  We must continue to expand the educational base and our youth groups.  All of these combine to provide a safe and caring community.”  Tom also believes that we must recognize our heritage and community efforts toward our youth so that they can develop into responsible citizens.

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