Recognition Reception Honoree
The Reverend Robert M. Hoag

The Reverend Robert M. Hoag, retired Pastor of Abington Presbyterian Church, has been a member of the Abington community since 1975. From his arrival that year to the present, he has been actively involved in the community as well as with his pastorates. Indeed, in his own words, "Being a pastor affords one many opportunities of service to the community."

Prior to his studies at the University of Rochester, he was a medic in the United States Navy, serving with the Marine Corps in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. After graduation from Rochester he engaged in a brief business career which reinforced his "call" to the ministry. This calling led him to Princeton Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1957. He capped his formal education with a subsequent year in Scotland at the University of Edinburgh.

After a fifteen-year pastorate in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, he came to serve Abington Presbyterian Church in 1975, "retiring" in 1989. He has since served as an interim pastor in Bucks County, Jenkintown, and Fox Chase.

Throughout this time, he has served the community as a Director of the YMCA and the Abington Library. As president of the Jenkintown Rotary he was active in the impetus to initiate many programs to serve our young people. These included the beginning of D.A.R.E. and the "We Can Say No" organizations. The latter has provided substance abuse and leadership training camps to thousands of young people in Abington and Rockledge. The popular Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol (TADA) club at Abington Junior High School is a direct result of one such camp organized by We Can Say No. This year, 2002-2003, TADA numbers nearly 600 members at the school. A truly great legacy!

More recently Reverend Hoag's work as Director and President of the Abington Library Board led to the Library's renovation and growth into a first-class facility. For this he was recognized as the Pennsylvania Public Library Trustee of the Year in 1997. Prior to that, he received a Distinguished Community Service Award from the Abington YMCA in 1989. He has also been honored by the Commissioners of Abington Township as well as by the House of Representatives and Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Reverend Hoag's vision for Abington and Rockledge is the continued "growth of a wonderful park system; a drug-free community; a friendly, caring community; and appreciation for the arts, music, and theater - a place where youth can gather."

Beyond the many activities directed toward our young people, he would like to see additional "quality day-care centers for working parents." Shelters for homeless men and women are a goal as is public retirement housing for people of low to moderate income. He also encourages a continuing effort between the Police Department and the School District to present drug education to our youth.

Reverend Hoag lives with his wife Ellen. Their adult children are daughters Nancy Hoag Rasweiler and Janet, along with sons David, Robert, and Jonathan. In addition to his continuing services to his churches he enjoys tennis, golf, gardening, and reading.

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