Loosing another Borough Manager, Jason Bobst, shortly brings to my mind one of our past managers who left a large imprint on our town. At his retirement dinner I read the following poem which I wrote for the occasion to the large audience wishing him well. Bob resides near Washington, DC. and returns to Pottstown from time to time.
Of Yankee Stock This Admiral
Rod steel drawn, point hammered sharp
To pierce the heart of the harvest crop
By keen eyed males strong in muscle tone,
Who can thrust the spear, drive it home.
Jones left New England's warriors as a youth
For a southern education to learn the truth,
That the Earth is covered mostly in water .
"To sea in ships", Bob obeyed passion's order.
"Red at night is a sailor's delight."
Man is drawn and hammered like tempered steel,
While a ship on course is a function of its wheel.
Tempered from birth, Bob Jones born of Yankee stock,
Charts in hand, his ships will stay safely off the rock.
"Red in the morning is a sailor's warning."
That rust belt trilogy: Disinvestment, Decline, and Debt,
Could not deter a tour in Pottstown for this retired Vet.
Taking command, charting a new course, Jones took over the wheel,
Shirting shoals he found favorable currents, Bob's will-steel.
Pottstown is safely in its harbor, new charts point the way.
All assembled here ,Thank You Bob Jones, on this December day.
May all your evenings be bathed in a comforting reddish hue,
And may all your mornings be bright, may the Sun shine true.
Ronald C. Downie
December 29,2002
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