A former longtime Lehigh County commissioner has died.
Percy Dougherty, 83, died at his Wescosville home after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease, according to his obituary.
Dougherty was a commissioner for 28 years before deciding not to seek reelection in 2021. He held the District 2 seat, which represents Alburtis, Lower Macungie, South Whitehall and Upper Macungie. He cited his health issues for part of his decision to not seek reelection.
Additionally, Dougherty was on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for 38 years, and served as the Pennsylvania County Commissioner president in 2007, his obituary states. Last year, the county planning commission presented him with the inaugural Percy Dougherty Planning Award to honor his service.
He also pushed for the adoption of Geographic Information Systems in county government, which his obituary said saved millions of dollars and modernized regional planning.
Dougherty also taught for many years, including more than 20 at Kutztown University, where he was a tenured professor of geography.
Commissioner Ron Beitler, who followed Dougherty and currently holds the District 2 seat, wrote on social media that Dougherty was a founder of Lehigh County Farmland Preservation Program. He said the two worked together in advocating for the drafting of a municipal match tool for farmland preservation program, which has been very successful.
“He was a wonderful man and a longtime committed public servant,” he said.
A viewing will be held between 9 and 11 a.m., followed by a service from 11 a.m. to noon Friday at Bachman, Kulik and Reinsmith Funeral Home, 1629 W. Hamilton Street in Allentown.