Throughout Atwood L. Welker Jr.’s life, he devoted time to his family and the betterment of the community. His life is a testament that hard work can bring the most fulfilling results.
The Shamokin native’s 87 years on earth were filled with countless accomplishments. He used his robust engineering knowledge to improve the region’s roads, highways and bridges. Even in retirement, he provided his insight to continue enhancing local infrastructure.
His daughter, Judy Frick and son-in-law, Ron Frick, of Loyalsock Township, described him as a supportive, intelligent and reliable person.
“He was always involved with the kids,” said Judy Frick. “Anytime they needed help with something or had a sporting event, he was there.”
He did a lot of driving lessons with their oldest son, Matthew Frick. Besides just learning how to do a three-point turn, Welker passed on his engineering gift.
“The only tears I ever saw from him was when Matthew Frick graduated in 2008 with a degree in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University,” Ron Frick wrote in an email.
His grandson followed in his footsteps to have a successful career as a civil engineer.
“His legacy certainly lives on in his grandsons who both loved him immensely,” he wrote.
As his son-in-law, he saw Welker as an “even-keeled” man, who took pride in his work and home. He was passionate about his garden that would be blooming with flowers and vegetables. He was the only person he’s ever met who could successfully grow asparagus, he said.
Welker was married to his wife Betty Lou for 60 years. He was a New York Yankees and Penn State University football fan.
PennDOT
After graduating from Lehigh University, Welker was hired as an assistant civil engineer at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. He worked for the department for over 30 years, never missing a day, according to Judy Frick.
“I remember every trip we went on, if there was road construction, we would detour to ride on the road,” she said. Despite the protests of his children, he would drive them through the sites then turn around to get back on their way.
He was proud of his work and shared stories about the projects they drove through.
At the department, his desk was next to fellow engineer Paul Heist, of Hughesville. The pair worked alongside each other for Welker’s entire PennDOT career.
They joined when Interstate 80 was being built in the early 1960s, Heist said. There were only a handful of engineers on staff, so their knowledge and contributions were essential in the success of the project.
“He pushed to really move forward with new ideas for the department,” he said. “He could evaluate things quickly and pull the trigger at the right time. We got a lot accomplished.”
Welker was involved in bridge innovations and highway improvements during his career.
Neither could have predicted the tragic floods of 1972 and 1975 that would devastate the region. As young managers at the time, they were very stressed trying to repair the damage, he said.
“It was a critical period where we worked together to rebuild the bridges, so people could access their homes again,” Heist said.
In their later years, they worked on the creation of Route 15 and the beltway. When working on massive projects like those, a lot of parties are involved in the process. Welker communicated effectively with those groups in order to get the work done right.
“He negotiated with the public and contractors. You don’t accomplish [projects] without getting them all involved. He was able to manage it well,” he said.
Welker was recognized for his distinguished service by former Gov. Robert Casey on his retirement in 1990, said Ron Frick in a Facebook post.
Serving Loyalsock Township
After his retirement from PennDOT, he served as the first township manager for Loyalsock Township. At the time, the township needed extra hands to manage the day-to-day operations of the community, said Bill Burdett, Loyalsock Township manager.
Welker’s civil engineering background was a true asset to the township. His impact is still felt today by current residents.
When he joined the township in 1990, there were a lot of dirt and gravel roads, especially in the more rural areas.
“His goal was to pave all of the township streets,” Burdett said. “By the end of his 10-plus years, they got all of those roads paved except one mile.”
Another large project that he executed were numerous sewer line extensions in developing areas. New homes were being built out Warrensville Road, Bloomingrove Road, and the Heshbon area that needed access to township sewers.
After his second retirement, Burdett said he volunteered on the building codes board of appeals.
Paul Nyman, Loyalsock Township Supervisor chairman, delivered mail to the township building for five years during his career with the United States Postal Service. He met Welker during that time and got to know him during their regular interactions.
Nyman said Welker enjoyed giving back to the township while he was an employee and in retirement.
“He always took an interest in the Faxon Circle garden since he lived right across the street from it,” he said. “He was always working on the garden. I would see him over there weeding often.”
Whether it was a large project or enhancing his own neighborhood, Welker showed his love for the township.
Making a Difference
Along with his professional life, Welker was an avid volunteer. He used his knowledge as a civil engineer to improve the lives of community members. He involved himself in a variety of organizations where his talents were used.
He served on the Lycoming County United Way board of directors and was chairman of the building and grounds committee.
In 2008, he received its highest honor, the Douglas C. Dickey Humanitarian Award. According to the organization’s website, “the award is presented to individuals whose dedication, commitment and outstanding leadership have made a major contribution to the welfare of Lycoming County.”
Ron Frick nominated him, having seen his hard work first hand.
He wrote in the nomination letter, “I believe that Welker has not only a distinguished professional career, but has also been a role model for many. Even in retirement, he has distinguished himself as a selfless, behind-the-scenes community volunteer.”
Welker was instrumental when the agency relocated to the former J. George Becht Elementary School in 2006.
“Him and a few others did all of the interior renovations voluntarily,” he said. Anything that needed repaired, he took care of it.
He also served on the Lycoming County Airport Authority board for 17 years; donated gallons of blood to the American Red Cross; served on the American Society of Highway Engineers as the local chapter’s treasurer and the national president; was a community adviser for Leadership Lycoming; was involved in the creation of the Williamsport Food Pantry that eventually became the local branch of the Central PA Food Bank; and a member of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce transportation committee.