Mayor Richard Fluck Honored at Banquet

Although the term "pillar of the community" has become overused in today's society, in the case of Hellertown Mayor Richard T. Fluck it truly applies, attendees at a June 24 banquet held in his honor agreed.

Fluck's decades of service to the borough--both as an elected official and a dedicated volunteer--were celebrated by members of his family, friends, business owners and dignitaries, many of whom delivered proclamations to be read at "An Evening Honoring Mayor Richard Fluck."

The Hawaiian-themed banquet was held at , and was presented by the .

State Rep. Bob Freeman (D-136) was a guest at the banquet and spoke glowingly of the mayor's commitment to Hellertown.

"Rich Fluck is a good friend and he's a great mayor for Hellertown," Freeman said, adding that the mayor's involvement with so many local service and civic organizations is truly impressive.

"The list goes on and on and on," he said.

Former Hellertown Borough Manager Charlie Luthar, who was also in attendance, credited the mayor with helping make his job "so much easier."

"Hellertown's a booming community thanks to his efforts," he said, before presenting the mayor with one of many gifts he received: a Philadelphia Eagles wall clock.

Luthar and friend Bud Prosser, who together performed a comedic skit in order to roast the mayor, both acknowledged his devotion to following the football team and brought to mind many of his other well-known characteristics.

Prosser referred to the mayor as a "little gremlin" during the skit, and his other humorous references provided plenty of opportunities for laughs throughout the evening, but the mood turned serious after the skit had finished and Prosser addressed his friend directly.

"If I died tomorrow, Rich, I'd know that my life has been successful, because you've been the truest of friends," he said, in quoting a piece of wisdom imparted to him by his father.

Luthar agreed, declaring, "I'm certainly glad that he is our friend."

Emceeing the evening's festivities was local businessman and Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Day organizer Craig Medei, who also injected levity into the laidback affair by taking a few friendly jabs at his longtime friend.

"He doesn't like to stand out in a crowd," Medei said of Fluck, before joking about a supposed police sighting of a vehicle crossing a railroad track in Macungie without a driver in it.

"Was that you?" he asked the short of stature Fluck, in jest.

Another highlight of the evening came when Medei read from a speech prepared by Chairperson Shelley Goldberg, who was unable to attend the banquet due to another commitment.

"The mayor goes above and beyond the role of mayor to serve his community, as he is continuously helping out in every capacity, whether it is delivering flowers to the hospital room of a community member, watering the planters on Main Street, performing ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses, encouraging new businesses to move to town or helping me move," she wrote. "Mayor Fluck is one in a million."

Other speakers who got up to address their longtime friend included Hellertown Borough Council Vice President John Bate, Lower Saucon Township Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon and Saucon Valley Community Center Board of Directors President Walt Morrissey.

"Mayor Fluck has always supported us," Morrissey said. "He's been a special friend to the center and for that you have our deepest thanks," he said to him.

publisher Ann Marie Gonsalves also recognized Mayor Fluck with a special commemorative "spoof" edition of the newspaper, printed and framed in his honor.

"Thank you very much, Mayor Fluck," she said. "We appreciate your time and your devotion, and thank you to your family, too."

When it was the mayor's turn to address the audience, he was quick to recognize the many family members who attended the banquet, including his wife of 55 years, Janice.

"She's been there for me," he said, his voice cracking ever so slightly.

He also thanked his three children and seven of his eight grandchildren for being in attendance--an eighth grandchild is currently serving in the Navy--along with many longtime friends and borough business owners.

"I'm overwhelmed," he said. "It's certainly an honor for me to have all you people here."

He added, "I truly believe that there are community members more deserving of this honor than myself."

The mayor called Prosser and Luthar "true friends," and also thanked District Justice David Tidd and longtime Hellertown businessman Andrew Rosko for their attendance.

Finally, he thanked Goldberg, who he said has done "so many things" for the borough.

"Without our volunteers in Hellertown, we wouldn't be able to do half of the things we do," he said.

Upon concluding his remarks, the mayor was treated to a standing ovation from attendees.

Mayor Richard T. Fluck - A Biography *

Born Dec. 22, 1932 in Fountain Hill, Mayor Fluck is a graduate of William Allen High School and a veteran of the Korean War, having attained the rank of sergeant before his discharge from the Army in 1955.

He was first elected to Hellertown Borough Council in 1968, and over the next 28 years served as council vice president, president, and liaison to the , the police pension board, the health board and the civil service commission.

The mayor spent much of his career working at Stroh's Brewing Company, where he was employed from 1973 until his retirement in 1999. He continues to work part time at florist in Hellertown.

Fluck is a member of , where he has served on the vestry and as property chairman. He is also a member of VFW Post 3094 and American Legion Post 397, and a charter member of the Saucon Valley Jaycees.

He has been the mayor of Hellertown since first being elected in 1996 and is currently serving his fourth term as mayor.

A highlight of his years as mayor was his receipt of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Mayor of the Year Award in 2006, and in addition to his civic duties he remains active as a board member of the , sponsor chairman for the Saucon Valley Farmers' Market and as a member of the Saucon Valley Partnership.

His family includes his wife, Janice Gregory Fluck; daughter Vicky, wife of Anthony DelGrosso of Bethlehem; daughter Debra, wife of Bruce Rosenberger of Hellertown; and son Richard of Hellertown; and eight grandchildren.

* Information included in the program for "An Evening Honoring Mayor Richard Fluck," presented by the Saucon Valley Community Center, June 24, 2011.