Lisa Herzog's voice cracked with emotion as she recalled how her father-in-law Robert G. Herzog Sr. would take her son along to volunteer at the Slatington hatchery.

"Bob would buy a bag of food and take my son while his dad and I were working and feed the fish," she said. "He would take my son all the time to feed them and watch them grow."Herzog was 76 when he passed away in September 2016 after a battle with lung cancer, leaving Janice, his wife of 58 years.His family has asked that, instead of the fleeting beauty of flowers, those wishing to honor his memory donate to the nonprofit Springside Sportsman Club Inc., where Lisa Herzog serves as member and treasurer. They made the request in Herzog's obituary."In his memory we have decided to purchase, unveil and display on our premises a beautiful granite bench which will have his facial impression etched on as well as the Fisherman's Prayer," she said."We're happy the family wanted the money donated to us, and we just wanted to do something to give something back," Lisa Herzog said.The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. today at the hatchery, located at 1117 Main St., Slatington."We've asked the club, community and extended family to come," Lisa Herzog said.Herzog's wife Janice and three sons, Robert Jr., Todd and Brent along with daughter Tami, were invited to the unveiling ceremony."Our president will speak about Bob, we just want people to come and enjoy it and think of him," she said.His son, Todd, and Marc Grammes will also speak to the crowd in remembrance of Herzog.A labor of loveThe hatchery is borough owned, but maintained and cared for by the club where Herzog spent many hours feeding and looking after the thousands of trout raised and released by the organization. The nonprofit feeds the thousands of fish, using 50 pounds of food a week.The club was officially formed in 2016, but the hatchery has been in existence since 1955, with the club minding the hatchery stock."(Herzog) was involved in our organization's efforts, and loved volunteering his time here," she said.Robert Herzog's heart was in his community.A 1957 graduate of Northampton High School, Herzog was a member of the Slatington Skeet Club and Heidelberg Fish and Game Association.He was a retired PIAA football official and coached football in Palmerton and Northern Lehigh School districts."We are just trying to keep it going without people pulling money from their own pockets," Lisa Herzog said. "He was involved in our organization's efforts and loved volunteering his time here," she said."He was very proud to be a part of the hatchery and was always there to help us, and now he'll always be here," she said."We're just so glad we could do it," Lisa Herzog said.The hatchery achieved nonprofit status last year. "A group of us got together because we love it. All of our kids fish so we really wanted to do it right and become a nonprofit," Lisa Herzog said.Local businesses and clubs have been donating to keep the fish fed and healthy.The Rotary Club donated an aerator for the 50-foot by 20-foot tank."No fishing" signs and surveillance cameras were added to the site in the past year as well."We even installed dime food dispensers so people can come and feed the fish," she said.The hatchery oversees more than 3,000 living trout from June until May when the large trout are released into Trout Creek."It's a nice thing to get the kids outside and fish and make memories," she said.Robert Herzog's presence will always be felt."He was very proud to be a part of the hatchery and was always there to help us, and now he'll always be here," she said.