Dorney Park lost its most loyal fan last week when Bob Ott passed away. Bob's ties to the amusement park were secure when Bob met Sally Plarr at a Castle Garden dance in 1934. Sally was the coat check girl, working for her father, Bob Plarr, the owner of the park. As Bob tells it, the couple sneaked in a few dances to the music of Ted Wheems and his Orchestra, and ''We've been dancing around together ever since.''

As attrition occurred in the Plarr family, Bob and Sally ended up being the owners of the park and along with their son Bobby, they managed every aspect of the operation as a family corporation. Bob became chairman of the board and son Bobby became president. Sally was the corporate secretary. Under their leadership the park grew and made possible the amusement giant we know today as Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

Bob grew up in East Allentown and attended Ritter Elementary School and Harrison-Morton Junior High School. As an adult he openly shared his pride in his H-M heritage. Like the late jazz saxophonist Willie Restum, he would sing the Harrison-Morton Fight Song with the slightest provocation. Both men are enshrined on the walls of the school in the H-M Hall of Fame.