Robert Stopper Citizen of
the Year for Lyons Chamber of Commerce
The oldest of 12
children, he was born and raised on a small farm just outside on the outskirts
of Williamsport PA. He graduated from Saint Francis College in Loretto,
Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy. He
attended SUNY Oswego where he received a masters in Educational
Administration and a Certificate of Advanced Studies and Supervisor.
He taught in Newark, NY.as an English and Public Speaking
teacher for 35 years. While at Newark, he was appointed Chairperson of the
English Department, he also served as coordinator of the FLCC Gemini Programs.
Several years he also served as an FLCC adjunct Professor teaching English and
Public Speaking. He is retired now from the Newark School System. He
was also a former Village Trustee and Chainman of the Village Planning Board.
He is a member of ST. Michael’s Parish where he serves as a Pauley Box
volunteer and caretaker of the outdoor flower gardens. He is a member of
Mainstreet , The Wayne County Museum, Trailworkers, and NYS Parks and
Trails.
Perhaps he is best known as a volunteer boat greeter, a Lyons promoter,
and an Erie Canal Ambassador. During the past 6 years, he and a group
of volunteers have welcomed over 1000 boats from around the world to the Lyons community.
According to him, “ The Lyons Community is truly
blessed with the volunteer greeters”, they are hosts-they welcome, answer
questions, give directions, and sometimes even escort tourists around the
community. He and these volunteers are recognized the entire length of the Erie
Canal and have been praised by hundreds of boaters in their boating blogs.
He has been and is in contact with many of these boaters.
He believes that the only way to receive Lyons, is to
actively promote the history of Lyons, especially along the Erie
Canal. In a effort to better attract and assist tourist, he designed the
Historic Lyons brochure, a trifold colored brochure featuring photos,
and descriptions of Lyons and all 6 National Historic Register
parcels and buildings. With help from others, he has designed the Welcome to
Historic Lyons Map, which is given to all boaters. The map highlights
the route of Clinton’s ditch and The Enlarged Erie through the village of Lyons.
A large sized 2’x3’ map welcomes boaters to the dock. Many years he has
promoted Lyons and the Erie Canal both by photos, and
articles. His writings and photos have appeared in Wayne County Life.
Com, The Messenger Post, and the Fingerlakes Times. He has contributed to
Waterway Guide, Active Captain, Boater Bob, and New York Boater. He
has contributed to the blogsite – “Tugster” .
His photos, depicting Erie Canal activities in Lyons and
neighboring communities have frequently appeared on the Facebook pages of NYS
Canal Corporation. Recently two of his photos and reference to Lyons and his
writings appeared in the nationally known publication Canoe and Kayak. His
photos also appear on the Lyons Chamber of Commerce website.
His interest in historic waterways extends far beyond Lyons,
he is a board member of Canal NY. He is also a member of The Canal
Society of NY. , The Erie Canal Museum, The FingerLakes Boat Museum.
The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY. , The
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vermont, and the American Great Loop Cruising
Association. When not involved with boats and the Erie Canal, He enjoys
boating, fishing, hiking, genealogy research exploring blue highways with his
wife Vickie, and reading. Once in a while he even enjoys fiddling around with
the piano, guitars, and banjo. He enjoys and spoiling his grandchildren. Bob and Vickie are the proud parents of two daughters and 3
grandchildren. Theresa is an instrumental
music teacher in Comstock, NY and mother of Noah and Ambrose. Katrina
is an athletic trainer and Chiropractic Sports Doctor in San Diego, she and her
husband Mathew are parents of Xavier.
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