On Sept. 4, Bellefonte will remember one of the more tragic events that occurred in its long, storied history. Fifty years ago from that date, Bellefonte lost four community leaders in a plane crash as they were on their way to Harrisburg to attend a business meeting related to the bicentennial of the Big Spring.
A memorial service will be held in the sculpture garden of Talleyrand Park at 6 p.m. Four lamp posts stand in this section of Talleyrand Park in commemoration for their service to the community.
“Bellefonte has always been a close knit community comprised of civic minded, dedicated individuals. Remembering those who died not only in war serving our nation but those who died on September 4, 1969 while serving our community is the least we can do to honor their memory and dedication to Bellefonte,” said Bellefonte Mayor Tom Wilson.
The crash took the lives of Sidney Willar, 79; Robert M. Dunlap, 47; Gerald W. Robison, 29; and Harold R. Flick, 35.
“They were going to meet with legislatures about the Big Spring bicentennial and they hit the mountain near Port Royal and were killed. It was a very foggy day,” said borough manager Ralph Stewart at the Aug. 6 borough board meeting.
Willar, Flick and Dunlap were co-owners of Dunlop Motors.
Willar was serving as Bellefonte mayor, only about six months into his term, said Borough Council President Joanne Tosti-Vasey.
Flick served as president of the Bellefonte Jaycees, and the person who cut the ribbon when Interstate 80 opened. He graduated in 1952 from Bellefonte High School and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the Undine Fire Company of Bellefonte.
Robison was the pilot of the flight and a Bellefonte Area Jaycee.
According to Aviation Safety Network, the plane took off that day from Bellefonte Airport in a twin-engine Piper Comanche.
The council also talked about the plaques in Talleyrand Park that recognize the men who died.
“There’s talk about moving the plaques to a more prominent location,” said Stewart. “I think it needs to be done. They are almost invisible and unrecognizable in their current location. I think for the purpose of this ceremony, we could polish up the poles. I’m guessing those poles were put in as a memory to those people who lost their lives, so they are almost 50 years old. I think they need a good paint job, restoration work. And of course the plaques need cleaned and moved.”
