It is June 1935, and we are at the graduation exercises for Northampton High School. We are wondering what Dr. George A. Eichler will say to the graduating class.

Dr. Eichler, a Laurys boy and World War I veteran, would serve as superintendent in the Northampton Area School District for 31 years.

“Now you are graduating, what of the future. A few fortunate ones will have the opportunity to continue your education in a formal way,” Dr. Eichler said. “Most of you will now take your place in a more or less cruel world on your own responsibility. The world in which you have prepared for may not be waiting for you with open arms. One of the saddest spectacles of recent years has been the turning of thousands of ambitious and well-prepared high school graduates into a society which had no need or place for them.

“This is not an optimistic picture, but one that is true under present day conditions,” he continued. “If you cannot go away to school or secure a position, do not be discouraged, for we are assured a better day is dawning. Within your power, keep the splendid idealism and courage of your school days.”

One of the students who graduated during this Depression era was Dr. Frank Tanczos from Northampton High School at the age of 14.

The following is a story from The Cement News dated Nov. 8, 1935. It gives this account of the young graduate.

“Tanczos now a full-fledged student at Moravian College and upon completion of his four-year course he will be 18, the youngest that any Moravian student ever left that school with a diploma,” The Cement News reported. “Young Tanczos started country school when he was 5 years of age, and then it was just by accident. He went as a guest to attend a session with a friend in first grade. The teacher told him he could stay if he behaved. The end of term found Frank on the promotion list and the following year started second grade at the age of 5.

“His first full term was at St. Joseph’s School outside of Danielsville. Here he completed eight grades in six years, graduating when he was 10 years of age,” The Cement News continued. “To be eligible for entrance to Northampton High School, it was necessary for him to take an examination, one which he easily passed. Northampton High School was 13 miles from his home, quite a journey for a youngster. He had to leave home early in the morning for a 3.5-mile trip either by foot or bicycle to board a school bus. Frank is a modest timid youngster; he holds great interest in reading anything that comes along. Frank has four brothers and two sisters. Frank earned a scholastic scholarship to attend Moravian College.”

Tanczos would graduate with a degree in chemistry in 1939. He furthered his college education at George Washington University and later earned a Ph.D. in physics at Catholic University of America.

He was hired by Lehigh Portland Cement as a research chemist in 1939. In 1943, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. After the war, he had a rewarding civilian career with the Navy, doing research on Navy ordinance and air systems. He passed away in 2001.

Dr. Tanczos was recently honored posthumously by the Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation as a Distinguished Alumni. He is honored with a plaque, along with other alumni honorees at Northampton Area High School.

A determined and dedicated man, he used his education to serve the country he loved.

In two weeks, we’ll visit a village where cement was king. See you there!