\t\t\tPercy H. Dougherty, Ph.D. \t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tOBITUARY\t\t<\/p>\n
Percy H. Dougherty, Ph.D., passed away at his home in Wescosville, PA, on May 17 following a courageous battle with Parkinson\u2019s disease. He was 83.<\/p>\n
\nBorn to Percy Dougherty Sr. and Anna (n\u00e9e Cloud) Dougherty, he had a distinguished career as an educator. He earned Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s degrees in Geography from West Chester University and a Doctorate in Geography from Boston University.<\/p>\n
\nPercy brought energy and passion to teaching at every level, from secondary schools to major universities, including The College of New Jersey (then Trenton State College) and the University of Cincinnati. In 1985, he joined Kutztown University, where he became a tenured professor of geography and later department chair, mentoring generations of students until his retirement in 2006.<\/p>\n
\nPercy served on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for 38 years, was a Lehigh County commissioner for 28 years, and was Pennsylvania County Commissioner President in 2007. In 2021 the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania honored him as Commissioner of the Year, and in 2025 the Lehigh County Planning Commission presented him with the inaugural Percy Dougherty Planning Award to honor his decades of service to the region.<\/p>\n
\nA forward-thinking advocate for innovation, Percy championed the early adoption of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Lehigh Valley government, a decision that saved millions of dollars and modernized regional planning. The GIS Conference Room at the Lehigh Valley Government Center now bears his name, a fitting tribute to his vision and persistence.<\/p>\n
\nPercy\u2019s intellectual pursuits were matched only by his zest for life. A passionate oenophile, he led the Lehigh Valley chapter of the American Wine Society, serving as chairman for 12 years. In 2015 he was named Chairman of the Year by the national organization for growing the local chapter into the largest in the country. During his tenure he qualified as a wine judge, officiating at numerous tastings in the region. He edited and authored chapters of \u201cThe Geography of Wine: Regions, Terroir and Techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAn avid caver, he and his students at Kutztown explored caves in Kentucky, Colorado, and Belize. He edited and contributed to the book \u201cCaves and Karst of Kentucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nPercy was married for 59 years to Anne (n\u00e9e Zinn) Dougherty. The couple traveled to all 50 US states and all seven continents, sharing a love of great wine, memorable meals, and the thrill of new experiences.<\/p>\n
\nHe is survived by his wife, Anne, two sons, Robert (Robin) of Alburtis, and Thomas of Harrison, Ohio, as well as two grandsons, Aidan and Samuel.<\/p>\n