RANGELEY — A group of about 70 friends and family members recently gathered to honor the late Robert (Bob) Summers for his contributions to the Rangeley community in an event hosted by Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust and the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway.

Summers was a founding member of the trust and the scenic byway and worked tirelessly to insure the success of both. In recognition of his efforts, the organizations dedicated the Whip Willow Farm Overlook to Summers and installed a monument to forever honor his service to the community.

Guest speakers included friends and colleagues Ed Kfoury and Paul Ellis as well as Congressman Mike Michaud, a supporter of the byway. Kfoury and Ellis spoke of Summers’ love of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. And they shared memories that demonstrated his ability to cultivate the personal growth and professional development of every person he met.

Michaud thanked Summers’ family for sharing him with the Rangeley community and said, “Bob’s ability to find the common ground and help guide the energies of local groups is a gift that will yield its benefits for decades to come.”

Finally, and on a more personal note, Summers’ daughter Laura Reynolds shared a story of their time together as a family in Hong Kong and his deep desire to bond with local residents. The powerful story captured the generosity of his spirit and his desire to connect with others in friendship and mutual respect.

Reynolds also said, “My dad would have been deeply humbled to have a monument and overlook dedicated in his name. He would have most likely insisted that the honor go instead to those in the local community, who work together toward the benefit of Rangeley and its residents.”

For more information on Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust and the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway, contact Bill Pierce or Rebecca Kurtz at 864-7311 or visit Aonline at www.rlht.org.

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