Abington Scoutmaster Dies

Check out the updated story here.

Thomas Smerke, the former Scoutmaster of Overlook Hills, Troop 72, died following a Thursday afternoon incident involving a piece of construction equipment.

There are few details; but according to an Abington Police records room employee, Smerke died at Abington Memorial Hospital following the incident. 

Abington Police did not return several calls regarding the incident and the records room is not releasing the accident report because the case is “under investigation.”

 John Capps, who has had four of his sons go through the Scouting program at Roychester Park starting in 1989 said the incident happened at the corner of Lycoming and Parkview avenues.

“There was a frontend loader doing storm drain work in the neighborhood,” Capps said. “It was only blocks from [Smerke’s] home.”

Capps added that Smerke, of Allen Lane, had vision problems including glaucoma, and only had one of his eyes.

Capps spoke very highly of Smerke.

“Geez, let me put this way, Tom was probably the most dedicated person I’ve known in whole my whole life — no one was more dedicated. Scouts was his life. He never married."

Though his vision was bad, Capps said Smerke stayed involved with Troop 72.

“He was involved on the outside,” Capps said. “It wasn’t uncommon for Tom to be working with Scouts on their Eagle Projects — he was always giving guidance.”

Another resident said, "[Smerke], while Scoutmaster at Troop 72, was responsible for helping more than 150 Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Everyday, although almost totally blind, he would walk to the [Roychester] Community House to put up and take down the American flag."