Obituary of William Lee Welch Jr. , 67

Mayor Bill Welch, 67, died at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center on Sept. 4, 2009.

In his lifetime, he had three jobs, three daughters and an extra 16 years, made possible by medical science and a kidney transplant from "donor daughter" Jessica. When asked to run for higher office, he refused. He often said that he was a public servant, not a politician, and State College was his home. For the coming election, he was nominated by both parties.

Bill was born Nov. 23, 1941, in Philadelphia, where his father – later to become a well-known local family physician – was a medical student. At home, he saw public service by both parents, William Sr. and Betty Woomer Welch. Welch Pool is named for his father. On his father's side, Bill was a third-generation Centre Countian; on his mother's side, a seventh generation.

A lifelong learner, Bill was a Class of 1959 National Merit Scholarship finalist and a 1964 Penn State graduate. John Barth, an advisor who would become a famous author, signed off on any Penn State course Bill fancied. After college, he was employed as a codifier of municipal ordinances, prior to his more than 20 years, ending in 1985, at The Centre Daily Times. Under veteran editor Jerome Weinstein, Bill worked his way up to become executive editor and finally general manager. A wag, he once sent around a typed newsroom demand for additions to the former "Good Evening!" column "or I will shoot this dog." Of course, there was no dog. For a front-page story on a failed missile, he turned the missile's upward photo downward. His story on the closing of Hoy Brothers General Merchandise, 328 W. College Ave., won a Keystone Press Award first place.

From 1985 to 2001, the "self-confessed philatelist" edited the monthly magazine of the locally headquartered American Philatelic Society as well as the American Philatelic Research Library's quarterly Literature Review. His scholarship and wit continued in print. Once, for the magazine, he wrote what he realized was a haiku: "Philately is the apotheosis of the ordinary." While working for the APS, Bill served a term on State College Borough Council and, in 1994, became the mayor.

Among the many roles he took on and enjoyed were speaking at the University's convocation for incoming students and performing weddings and commitment ceremonies. Whenever he spoke, he was brief and humorous, yet he stayed focused on what he thought was good for the community in the long run. A true Renaissance man beyond the 2002 honor by Penn State, Bill was a consummate storyteller and writer who loved football, military history, classic revenue stamps of Latin America, S. J. Perleman and other humorists, folk music and opera. He was known to tell stories in one of his "About Town" columns in the local Town&Gown magazine.

Of his committee participation, the tip of the iceberg included the Community Diversity Group, co-chairmanship of the University and Community Partnership United Against Dangerous Drinking, the Central Pennsylvania 4th Fest board and the developing Discovery Space for three to 12 year olds, to be located at 224 S. Allen St.

He was, among other things, a life member of the Centre County Historical Society, a former board member of the Mt. Nittany Conservancy and the current convener of the Young Writers of America. He also belonged to the APS, the Mt. Nittany Philatelic Society, the Collectors Club of New York, the Royal Philatelic Society and other stamp organizations.

He is survived by his first wife, H. Patricia Hurley of Wewahitchka, Fla.; his wife of 34 years, Nadine Kofman of State College; his daughters, Jennifer Theiss and her husband, Mark, of State College; Jessica Welch and her partner, Dana Guyer, of Bellefonte; Justine Mastin and her husband, Eli, of Minneapolis, Minn., and by two granddaughters, Clarissa and Linden Theiss. Bill was the eldest of five children. His siblings include James of Cambria, Calif.; Michael and his wife, Marcia, of Waukegan, Ill.; John Patrick and his wife, June, of Lebanon, Pa.; Elizabeth Parker and her husband, Andrew, of Lake Jackson, Texas.

A private family service will be held in the Pocono Mountains on Saturday at the home of Bill's favorite aunt, Janet Woomer Richards.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Sunday, Sept. 13, from 1 – 3 p.m. Beginning today, the public is also invited to share memories of Mayor Welch on a large memorial card in the lobby of the State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St. The card will be displayed at the celebration.

In his memory, contributions may be made to the Bill Welch Renaissance Scholarship, the Pennsylvania State University, 27 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802; or to the Discovery Space, P.O. Box 261, State College, PA 16804.