Who: William R. Kramer was just 20 when a car crash claimed his life on Nov. 4, 1989, but his memory lives on in a local scholarship.
The son of Bill and Cindy Kramer and brother of Chris Kramer and Sandie Kramer-Ulrich, he lived in Moscow and was a creative, funny and caring young man, Kramer-Ulrich said. He graduated from North Pocono High School and was attending Penn State’s Worthington Scranton campus at the time of his death, according to newspaper archives.
What: For the past 32 years, a graduating senior at North Pocono has received a scholarship to cover the costs of higher education thanks to the William R. Kramer Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund has given out $54,000 since its inception, Kramer-Ulrich said. It “has become a way for (Kramer’s) family and friends to keep his eternal optimism and positive light shining while serving as a tangible tribute to the person that touched so many people,” the fund explains in its mission statement.
“This fund helps support the community that developed William as a person by giving back every year to North Pocono High School graduates that have made a positive impact on this same community,” it noted.
How: To raise money for the scholarships, Kramer’s family and friends held a memorial golf tournament before switching to a car show 12 years ago. This year’s William R. Kramer Memorial Car Show will take place rain or shine on Sunday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Moffat Estate, Moffat Drive, Covington Twp.
The show accepts all makes and models of vehicles, including motorcycles. The first 100 entries receive dash plaques, and everyone has a chance to win prizes. Registration costs $8 in advance and $10 the day of the show; to register, call Bill Kramer at 570-604-2227.
In addition to the various vehicles, spectators can enjoy food, participate in raffles and enjoy music from a DJ. For more information, visit wrkmemschlr.com or the Facebook event page.
People also can mail scholarship donations to Bill Kramer at 257 Langan Road, Covington Twp., PA 18444.
In her own words: “We need the community’s support so we have the means to keep the scholarship going in honor of my brother (and) in turn help a deserving student and keep his memory alive.” — Sandie Kramer-Ulrich, sister
Caitlin Heaney West is the content editor for Access NEPA and oversees the Early Access blog in addition to working as a copy editor and staff writer for The Times-Tribune. An award-winning journalist, she is a summa cum laude graduate of Shippensburg University and also earned a master’s degree from Marywood University. Caitlin joined the Times-Shamrock family in 2009 and lives in Scranton. Contact: cwest@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5107; or @cheaneywest
