Paul Kocher

Paul C. Kocher Sr., 76, of 391 S. Nulton Ave., Palmer Township, former township supervisor, died Tuesday in Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Palmer Township. He was the husband of Rose (Unger) Kocher for 55 years.

He was a Palmer Township supervisor for 36 years, having been appointed in 1953, and serving six six-year terms before retiring in 1991. At various times he held the office of chairman, vice chairman and secretary-treasurer. For the past 10 years he was the police commissioner.

Kocher retired in 1983 as public works director for Palmer Township. He also was the road supervisor and road department foreman for many years.

"Palmer Township has lost an outstanding son," said H. Robert Daws, Board of Supervisors chairman. Daws said Kocher's service was a tribute to tradition. "In his leadership role as road supervisor his desire to ` get the job done' most typified the honest, practical, home-town centered men whose commitment to taxpayer and community has maintained townships since colonial times."

Kocher was also known in the township for his skill at baseball, Daws said. "Paul was one of the best catchers in the area. He was instrumental in starting our township's recreation program," Daws said.

For many years Kocher was employed by the former Taylor-Wharton Co., Palmer Township, and by Sears, Roebuck & Co., formerly of Easton. Born in Palmer Township, he was a son of the late George A. Sr. and Marie (Brewer) Kocher.

A member of the Blue Mountain Baseball Hall of Fame, he was a baseball and football coach for the Palmer Midgets.

He was a volunteer for the former Palmer Township Drum and Bugle Corps and a former volunteer of the Palmer Township Fire Company. He served in the Navy during World War II and previously in the Merchant Marines.

Survivors: Wife; son, Paul C. Jr.; daughter, Linda Americus, and brothers, Russell C. and Carl E., all of Palmer Township; three granddaughters and two great-grandsons.