Sommer remembered by MWCD
Joseph J. Sommer
Joseph J. Sommer, who served on the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Board of Directors from 1994 to 2002, passed away on Monday, March 7. He was 94. He was an avid supporter of the MWCD and also served on the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation Board of Trustees.
“Joe will be greatly missed as both a leader and a friend,” said Gordon Maupin, MWCD Board of Directors president. “Our sincere condolences go out to the family who lost their loved one.”
Sommer is described as the “perfect public servant” because he generously supported and served in volunteer positions for dozens of nonprofit organizations, many of which focused on the environment and natural resources. He received numerous accolades throughout his life recognizing his many accomplishments.
“Joe was passionate about conservation and recreation,” said John Hoopingarner, chairman of the board of trustees for MWCF and retired MWCD executive director. “Beyond his support for the MWCD, he was instrumental in the formation of the MWCF and gratefully accepted the first donation to the foundation by Leslie Hudson Carper, in memory of her late husband, Tom Hudson. Our most sincere condolences to the Sommer family. Thank you for sharing an important part of his life with us.”