5 minute read
Getting His Kicks on Route 66
Upper St. Clair resident Bob Orchowski’s favorite song should be “Route 66.” That song, with original lyrics written by Bobby Troup in 1946 and recorded by Nat King Cole that same year, was later re-recorded by other famous singers and groups, including Perry Como, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Manhattan Transfer, Depeche Mode, and, most recently in 2012, by Glenn Frey.
Why should this song hold special meaning to Bob? Over the years, he’s not only traveled Route 66 extensively, but he’s also driven on countless other roads and highways to reach destinations near and far. With a planned trip to Idaho, Bob will have attained the pinnacle of visiting all 50 states in the U.S. What’s even more exciting is that with this trip, Bob will join 1600+ other people and become a member of the All 50 Club. Requirements to become a member of the club? Visit all 50 U.S. states, staying over a minimum of one night in each state. As you can see, Bob’s feat centers on exploration!
Accomplishments are nothing new to Bob or to his family. Married to his wife, Rose, for 46 years, these two Pittsburgh sweethearts met during their high school days when they both worked at Carnegie Library in Oakland. Bob, who earned a BS degree in engineering from Carnegie Mellon and was employed at Duquesne Light (1974–1996) and Orion Power through 1999, is currently a partner at Hillcrest Group, a company that specializes in environmental development. In addition to enjoying time with his grandchildren and traveling, Bob’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, and golfing. As you can see, his hobbies tie in rather nicely with his travel goals.
Rose graduated from Pitt and is an RN at St. Clair Hospital in the family birthing unit. The Orchowskis have four children and seven grandchildren. The Orchowski children, like their parents, appreciate rigorous academic pursuit. All Upper St. Clair High School graduates, twins Neal and Lindsay received undergraduate degrees from Penn State and Dartmouth, respectively, while Tyler received his from Cornell and Katie from Harvard.
Bob’s story about his intrigue with the All 50 Club is fascinating. Bob stated, “About ten years ago, the kids bought me a map of the United States. We began placing yellow pins in the various locations I’d visited. As we placed the pins, it became apparent that I had not missed many states while on my travels.
This past March, Bob showed off his state map, with Idaho not yet “pinned.”
Well if you ever plan to motor west Just take my way, that’s the highway, that’s the best Get your kicks on Route 66. Well it winds from Chicago to LA More than 2000 miles all the way. Get your kicks on Route 66. Well it goes from St. Louie down to Missouri, Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty. You’ll see Amarillo and Gallup, New Mexico, Flagstaff, Arizona. Don’t forget Winona, Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino, Would you get hip to this kindly tip, And go take that California trip. Get your kicks on Route 66.
My first state to visit was Massachusetts in 1969 during my high school days. And, as you will notice if you look at my map, many more pins have accumulated since then. As of today, I’ve visited a total of 141 U.S. cities and placed those pins on my map, with California leading the way with nine. About five years ago, Rose and I realized that there were only four states on my map that were not represented, including Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Idaho. I jokingly told her that if I didn’t make it, she should take my ashes and spread them around in these four states. She said ‘No way. We’re going!’ ”
Bob’s past travels resulted from business trips, family vacations, and following the kids’ sporting events when they were young. They now include visiting his children and grandchildren, whose homes are spread throughout the country. So, with less than a handful of states to go, the Orchowskis planned and executed three of their four remaining trips. Bob enjoyed reminiscing about several of them. “Wyoming has to be the most amazing place that I’ve visited. The wildlife was extraordinary and the scenery unbelievably beautiful, with the Rockies rising out of the West. Mississippi was probably the most boring, with far fewer attractions and much less to see and do than anywhere else I’d been.”
“Probably the funniest and, at the time, scariest was the trip to Theodore Roosevelt National State Park in North Dakota. Visiting during the month of October, very few people were in the park when we were there. Being the only car on the road we were traveling, we literally drove into a large herd of buffalo. Stopping to observe them, about 50 buffalo surrounded our car within minutes. One large bull came right up to the window and appeared very curious. Frightened, I thought for sure he would push over our car, but he didn’t. Nearly a halfhour later and without any other travelers on the road during our close encounter, the buffalo finally lost interest and went about their way. With a sigh of relief, we continued on with our visit to the park.”
As a Township resident, you might be familiar with Bob for another reason. Since 1998, Bob has served Upper St. Clair as a Township commissioner. For six of those years, he served as president of the board. “I originally ran for a seat on the board when the contentious issue of a wireless cell tower at Boyce Mayview Park was the hot topic in the Township. I believed my background and knowledge in electrical and environmental issues would be helpful to our community and its residents. Many agreed, and I was elected.”
While traveling is certainly a passion for Bob, residents appreciate the dedication and expertise he’s given to Upper St. Clair for more than 20 years in his position as commissioner. While Bob will soon accomplish his goal of traveling to all 50 states, our community hopes that he finds find Pennsylvania, specifically Upper St. Clair Township, to be his favorite!
A trip to North Dakota included a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Have fun as you continue to “get hip… and get your kicks on Route 66.” Oh!… and, please, keep travelling to that well-known building on McLaughlin Run Road, the Township building, as you continue to well represent the USC community and its residents.
