Robert F. Eckhart Jr., an employee at the Jim Thorpe Post Office for over 23 years, has been named an assistant to Postmaster Gerald L. Haggerty, who became postmaster last Jan. 29, filling a vacancy created by the death of Harold Richards, postmaster for 17 years.

Eckhart, 127 South St., Jim Thorpe, began at the local post office as a substitute clerk in January 1950.

The graduate of the former Mauch Chunk High School served in the Army during World War II and graduated from the East Stroudsburg State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education.

He is a lay reader and the Sunday school superintendent at St. John’s Lutheran Church on North Street in Jim Thorpe.