Uniontown man named 2019 Fayette Friend of the Fair
Frances Borsodi Zajac|蘑菇视频
Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Stein, 95, of Uniontown, left, receives congratulations from fair board director Randy Breakiron, of Hopwood, upon receiving the 2019 Friend of the Fair award. Stein was one of the earliest supporters of the fair, now in its 65th year.
Frances Borsodi Zajac|蘑菇视频
Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Stein, 95, of Uniontown, shows off his 2019 Friend of the Fair award. Stein was one of the earliest supporters of the fair, now in its 65th year.
Frances Borsodi Zajac|蘑菇视频
Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Stein, 95, of Uniontown, right, receives congratulations from Mark Critz, Western Regional Director, Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture, left, upon receiving the 2019 Friend of the Fair award. Stein was one of the earliest supporters of the fair, now in its 65th year. Stein蘑菇视频 son Bob, center, said his father was thrilled with the honor.
Frances Borsodi Zajac|蘑菇视频
Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Stein, 95, of Uniontown, center, takes a group photo with members of the fair board and local officials following the opening ceremony for the Fayette County Fair, taking place now through Aug. 3 at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township. Stein was honored with the 2019 Friend of the Fair award.
For his long-time support that goes back to the earliest days of the fair, Robert Stein of Uniontown has been honored by Pennsylvania and the Fayette County Fair as a 2019 Friend of the Fair.
鈥淚 think I was involved with the fair from Day One,鈥� said Stein, 95, who was touched and surprised by the award. 鈥淪ee what we have tonight. The Fayette County Fair has come a long way. It蘑菇视频 a pleasure to be here. Thank you.鈥�
Friend of the Fair is an honor awarded by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture to recognize individuals for their hard work and dedication to the state蘑菇视频 107 fairs. At the Fayette County Fair, the honor is kept secret until revealed each year.
Mark Critz, Western Regional director, state Dept. of Agriculture, presented the award to Stein in the Youth Building during the opening ceremony for the 65th Annual Fayette County Fair, taking place through Aug. 3 at the fairgrounds in Dunbar Township.
Critz explained Stein, known as 鈥淏ob鈥� and 鈥淔uzzy,鈥� grew up in Everett and moved to Uniontown in 1950 with his late wife, Betty. The couple had two children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In Uniontown, Stein became parts manager at Fayette Farm Service, working with area farmers. He began his banking career in 1957 at Gallatin National Bank, serving 28 years in many capacities until his retirement as vice president and cashier. Stein participated in many community organizations, including the Fayette County Fair Board.
鈥淲e believe Bob was a charter member of the Fayette County Agricultural Improvement Association,鈥� said Critz. 鈥淏ob was involved from the time the fair was held at Burgess Field and through many years at its present-day permanent home at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. From his farming roots in Bedford County through his days at Fayette Farm Service and even the lending days at the bank, Bob has always had a true understanding of, and commitment to those who made their living from the land.鈥�
Critz noted it was one of the pleasures of his job to present this honor to 鈥渟omeone who蘑菇视频 given their time and effort to make sure the Fayette County Fair was successful, had the finances it needed, the support it needed and made sure that people enjoyed themselves when they were here and came back.鈥�
Critz offered Stein his congratulations as did others, including Bill Jackson, of Redstone Township, fair board president, who noted his early memories of the fair included Stein diligently working in the office.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud of this fair and think it蘑菇视频 one of the tops in the state. It was that way before any of us got involved,鈥� said Jackson. 鈥淚t was because of people like Bob.鈥�
Stein蘑菇视频 children were present to watch him accept the award: Marti Clark and her husband, Rodney, of Everett, and Bob Stein, who is married to Sandy, of Chalk Hill.
Marti said, 鈥淚 think it蘑菇视频 wonderful. He was Mr. Fair. He dedicated everything he had to the fair. He was down there every night until they closed because he鈥檇 count the money.鈥�
鈥淭his came as a surprise that after this many years, they recall that he was around back in those days and decided to honor him. It蘑菇视频 very nice,鈥� said Bob. 鈥淚 think he蘑菇视频 really thrilled 鈥� probably even more than he蘑菇视频 expressing at the moment. I鈥檓 sure if there蘑菇视频 anything else he could say, it would be to remind people it wasn鈥檛 just him. There were a lot of other fair board members, many of them passed away, who were his good friends. I鈥檓 sure he鈥檇 like to share this honor with them as well.鈥�