(Lehighton) Times News, Sept. 29

Times News Editor Parfitt, Lifestyle Editor Heyer retire

Bob Parfitt and Marigrace Heyer will be shutting down their work computers for the last time.

Parfitt, the editor, and Heyer, the lifestyle editor, are retiring. Combined, they have served more than 82 years in the newspaper industry of which 75 were spent with the Times News.

The two Summit Hill residents, who were both born and raised in the Panther Valley, said that in their retirement they hope to spend more time with family members and do some traveling. Parfitt, an avid golfer, also anticipates enjoying his favorite sport.

"Any time you have two people on your staff, that devoted, who gave that much of their lives to our newspaper, they will be missed," remarked Fred L. Masenheimer, Times News publisher.

Managing Editor Bob Urban stated, "Both of them had real gifts for dealing with people, whether it was readers or staff members. They made the Times News editorial department into a family, and that family will continue to exist even though they're not here every day."

He said, "I think the legacy from all the years they've been working here is going to live on."

Parfitt, who has been serving Times News readers since the newspaper was purchased by Pencor Services in 1968, became the editor in 1972. He is only the second editor-in-chief the Times News has ever had.

Heyer began her career at the Times News on October 27, 1969, in the ad composition department, and was promoted to her present position in 1972. At the time, her title was "Society Editor."

Heyer, who has won numerous state and national awards for her writing,commented that it's hard to believe she has been working at the Times News for 37 years. "It seems like just 37 minutes," she said.

"I always enjoyed working here," she remarked. "There was always something fresh ... something new."

She continued, "People have been here 20 and 30 years. I think that speaks well of the management of this company. You get up in the morning and enjoy coming to work.

"It's an interesting job; it's a fun job," she noted, adding, "I've made many friends in the area."

She said of the management of the newspaper, "They gave me the opportunity to experiment and be a writer."

Masenheimer heaped praise on both Parfitt and Heyer.
Of Parfitt, the publisher stated, "Bob was always a loyal, dedicated leader in the news room. You could always count on him to be here and make sure the paper got out.

"He was an excellent copy editor," Masenheimer continued. "Even as quickly as the newspaper gets out each day, Bob was responsible for getting it out as error-free as possible."

Masenheimer also commented on Parfitt's attendance record, noting that he seldom took vacation days and was virtually never ill.

"We'll miss him," Masenheimer said. "I could always count on Bob being the one to make good decisions and keep us on an even keel. We try never to take sides on issues. We've always believed the newspaper would contact both sides in matters and present both sides. Bob always adhered to that plan."

Regarding Heyer, the publisher also heaped compliments, stating, "Marigrace always brought a grace and dignity to the lifestyle editor's position, which was a perfect fit for that job.

"She was thorough and made sure that the social events in our coverage area got the proper attention. She, too, will be missed."

Parfitt was born and raised in Coaldale. He is the son of the late Robert and Sue (Sekella) Parfitt. A sister, Natalie, wife of Walt Whiteman, died in 2004. He has a sister, Sallie Gwen, in Philadelphia.

He attended Coaldale public schools, graduating in 1957. He was a member of the football, basketball, and track squads during his high school career.

He furthered his education at Penn State University, Highacres Campus in Hazleton, as an engineering student before accepting the sports editor position at the former Lansford Evening Record on Feb. 3, 1960. He served as public address announcer for every Coaldale home football game played from 1959 until the Panther Valley jointure in 1964.

In 1965, he became the editor of the Evening Record, serving in that capacity until July of 1968 when it was purchased by Pencor. Parfitt began his employment with the Times News in August of that year and was named editor in 1972, serving in that position until retirement.
He is a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Coaldale, where he was a former deacon.
Parfitt is a 40-year member of the Mahoning Valley Country Club and a former vice president. He is a life member of the Tamaqua Elks Lodge, social member of the Summit Hill and Coaldale American Legion posts, the Summit Hill Italian Club, and the West Ward Rod and Gun Club of Coaldale.

In 2003, he was inducted into the Carbon Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Retirement plans include spending a lot of time on the golf course and visiting his nieces Kim and Lisa in North Carolina.

Heyer started at the Times News on Oct. 27, 1969, in the ad composition department.

She started working in the Editorial Department and became Lifestyle Editor in 1972.

She was president of the Pa. Women's Press Association (PWPA) for two years, a statewide organization for journalists.

She won many Keystone Awards from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishing Association, Associated Press Awards, PWPA Awards, and Philadelphia Press Association Awards.

Heyer is the daughter of the late Michael and Mary G. Kobrick and grew up in Lansford. She often wrote about life in that community in the 1950s.

She has two children, Ginny Heyer of Media and Jim, married to the former Kathy Halenar of Summit Hill, of Schnecksville, and three grandchildren: Ginny's daughter, Marigrace "Gracie" Henry, a freshman at Temple University, Philadelphia, and Jim's children, Jacob Heyer, 8, and Megan Heyer, 5.

A brother, Dr. Michael Kobrick and his wife, Carol, reside in Pasadena, Calif.

After retiring, she plans to spend time with her grandchildren and do some traveling.

Asked about the biggest news event she's ever covered, she doesn't hesitate with an answer.

"It literally was the 'biggest' story," she laughed. "It was about 'Porky,' a 1,000-pound pig in Summit Hill who ate doughnuts."

The story was written in 1984. The pig was owned by Joe Tirpak and there was a dispute in the borough regarding the status of Porky: Was the pig a pet or livestock?

Even though she wrote good things about Porky, "he never liked me," she chuckled. "He would chase me whenever I went in the yard."

Articles she wrote about Porky went international on wire services. The Associated Press carried the stories and she received feedback from as far away as Singapore and Hong Kong. Heyer was saddened when Porky passed away. The dispute in the borough was never resolved.

Just as Heyer has fond memories of Porky, so too does the staff have loving memories of both her and Parfitt.

Hopefully, both will have enjoyable, healthy retirements!

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