Mayor Dave Siedell (left to right) Robert Hochgertel, Reese Titton, Commissioner Frank Troy and Commissioner Itir Cole at the Tavistock Country Club.
The Haddonfield Rotary Club has named Robert Hochgertel, owner of Kings Road Brewery, its citizen of the year, and Reese Titton, a senior at Haddonfield Memorial High School, as its William G. Hansen youth of the year.
The citizen honor was established more than 50 years ago and first awarded by the Haddonfield Jaycees in 1973. Bill Burns, grandson of the youth award’s namesake, presented that honor to Titton at the Tavistock Country Club on Feb. 7.
“I’m proud to say that this year’s recipient exemplifies everything this award was created to honor,” he said. “The same compassion, leadership and dedication of service of my grandfather’s life and legacy. Reese, this morning we honor you, not only for your outstanding achievements, but for the heart and spirit you bring to everything you do …
“Her story reminds us of what my grandfather values most,” Burns added. “Doing good quietly, consistently and with joy in your heart.”
Titton’s achievments include founding Super Special Socks in sixth grade to raise money for special education programs, a Halloween candy drive that netted 500 pounds of candy for The Unforgotten Haven in Gloucester Township, and her acceptance of the 2025 New Jersey Governor’s Youth in Service award.
Titton, a member of the LEO Club at the high school, thanked the Lions Club and the LEO Club advisor, and noted that making others happy makes her happy.
“I love to serve others, because I love to see other people happy,” she explained. “It makes me so happy. And I hope to continue this for the rest of my life, so thank you.”
“Congratulations to Reese Titton, the youth citizen of the year,” said Mayor Dave Siedell. “Reese, your leadership, curiosity and generosity give us all confidence in the future of this town. And who knows? Someday maybe you’ll be giving this speech.”
After the town crier led a round of cheers, Siedell introduced Hochgertel as someone with a great smile.
“I do want to point out a commonality of everyone on the citizen of the year list,” the mayor observed. “And that’s a really interesting thing. Although they have different causes, although they have different passions … one thing everyone has in common is an infectious smile. Because that’s how you get other people going. And Bob’s smile is as infectious as anybody’s.”
Hochgertel, whose wife is vice president of the Haddonfield school board, pointed out how honored her husband was to receive the award and what a privilege it is to help the community.
“I truly am honored and humbled, absolutely humbled, to be citizen of the year,” Hochgertel stated. “When you see the names of the people that have received this before … It’s incredibly humbling, and I hope I can continue to earn that right and that privilege.
“For all of you in here that do volunteer work … you know that there’s always one person that gets the recognition, but they’re usually surrounded by a lot of other people that make it possible,” he added. “So while I’m the one standing up here, there are some people that I think it’s important to recognize.”
Commissioner Frank Troy congratulated both Hochgertel and Titton.
“Congratulations to Bob Hochgertel for citizen of the year and Reese Titton for youth of the year,” he said. “I look forward to even greater things in the future.”
Lions Club president Greg Peltz cited both past and present winners.
“For the citizens of the years who are here, thank you again,” Peltz remarked. “I think it’s a great honor for all of you, especially Bob for this year.”
Both of Hochgertel’s daughters were on hand for his award, one came from Washington, D.C., and the other from Florida. It made him choke up.
“All I can tell you girls is, I love you,” Hochgertel said. “I’m so proud of you, and you being here means everything to me.”
