Austin Grad Accepts Executive Director Position With Visit Elk Grove, California

Goodbye and Good Luck Mr. Brooks

David in the middle being presented with the U.S. Route 6 Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.  Terri Dennison, Executive Director of PA Route 6 Alliance on left and Kevin Abrams, Executive Director, Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission on the right.

Today is David Brook's last day as the Executive Director of the Potter County Visitor's Association as he has taken a position as the Executive Director of Visit Elk Grove, Elk Grove, California.  

David grew up here in Austin, Pennsylvania, and attended the Austin Area School District, the smallest public school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our kids attended AASD during the same time-frame as David and if you know Austin, it's like the community is one large family; and, our family is very proud of him!

Upon graduating from AASD in 1997, David attended and graduated from Penn State University.

At the age of 23, he began his quest to make Potter County Pennsylvania known far and wide and in doing so won many awards. Please refer to the July 1, 2016, issue of The Bradford Era which chronicles his many achievements. 

But, what I will remember most about David Brooks is that he never forgot his hometown of Austin, Pennsylvania.

We will most certainly miss David here in Potter County. 

 David. May you enjoy good health, happiness and  prosperity in all your future endeavors.

Walter G. Haupt, Supervising Principal, Austin, Pennsylvania, 1903 - 1985

Walter G. Haupt was born on August 12, 1903 in Trevorton, Pa. He was the  son of Luther and Ida Dougherty Haupt.

He was only five (5) years old when his father passed away.

On August 22, 1929, in Williamsburg, Pa., he married the former Sarah Ruth Lang who died on March 22, 1980.  Sarah was the daughter of John Edward and Amanda Jane (Gorman) Lang.

Mr. Haupt obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Susquehanna University and a Masters of Education degree from Pennsylvania State University.

Research reveals that his wife, who preferred being called Ruth, also had a four year degree. However, the name of the university Ruth attended was not stated.  Mr. Haupt was 26 and Ruth 22 when they married.

Could it be that they were college sweethearts?

Walter and Ruth had two (2) daughters, Louise and Margaret.

In the early years of their marriage, Ruth and Walter lived in a home on School Street.  During the latter years of their lives, they rented an apartment in the old bank building.

Both Walter and Ruth are buried at the Twin Hill Cemetery in Montoursville, Pa.

Mr. Haupt began his career in education as a math teacher at the Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania.  He left Austin for a short period of time to assume the position as Principal at Montgomery High School, before returning to Austin in 1951, as the Supervising Principal. He had devoted 43 years in education before retiring.  He remained in Austin upon his retirement.

Mr. Haupt belonged to the Austin United Methodist Church and also served as a Trustee.

He was a Lifetime Member of the National Education Association; and,

a member of the Arcana Masonic Lodge 580, F and A.M. of Austin, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Haupt is described by former students as an honorable gentlemen who was stern, but fair.  They also state that he was smart, intelligent and a math whiz.

He would also take daily walks throughout the community of Austin, stopping to talk to citizens he would pass or who would be working in their yards as he was a friendly and personable man.  He always carried an umbrella while walking in case it would rain.

Bob Hooftallen states that ".... he came to our home for the holidays for many, many years, having dinner and just spending time with our family since he didn't have any here." Bob's parents were Judy and Richard Hooftallen who lived on Scoville Street.

Stan Kudock shared the following,  " I remember when were were having a reuniion at my dad's house on Summit Street, he was on a walk and we invited him to come visit us. He was retired then and was really pleased to see all of us Kudlock kids, five in all and spend a good time talking of the good ole days." 

In the yearbook Dedication below, note that the senior class referred to Mr. Haupt as "our principal and very dear friend".

Mr. Haupt is located in the far right in the top row

Much of the information contained in this article was provided by research conducted by Paul W. Bennett, a former resident of Austin and graduate of the Austin High School.