Last Sunday I was sad to learn of the passing of Jerry Kochel, a longtime Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists member and a great friend and mentor to me and many others. Here's an excerpt from his obituary in a Lancaster area publication. -Editor

I knew Jerry through my work with PAN in the Pittsburgh area. The state group was formed and nurtured in Western Pennsylvania, but it was through the hard work of John Eschbach, Jerry Kochel, Dick Duncan and others from the Red Rose Coin Club of Lancaster that PAN spread across the state. "The Dutch Boys" were a regular fixture at all PAN shows.

Jerry collected primarily U.S. coins, and was a prolific exhibitor. Two of his exhibits were a complete set of Liberty Seated Half Dimes and Half Cent errors. I learned to exhibit under the tutelage of John and Jerry. To this day the PAN shows punch far above their weight with national-quality exhibits in a regional show.

Jerry had a marvelous sense of humor and always brought smiles, especially when he served as auctioneer at the PAN annual banquet. At one of the Pittsburgh ANA conventions he reduced the banquet audience to tears of laughter with his Pennsylvania Dutch farmer routine.

Great numismatist, hardworking volunteer, talented mentor; Jerry was an original who will be sorely missed. -Editor