PALMERTON -- People in Carbon County are remembering one of their former basketball legends after he passed away over the weekend.
Bob Mlkvy was a star player at Palmerton High School back in the 1950s.
"He was an easygoing person, a likable person, and you could talk to him about almost anything," said Art George of Palmerton.
The person Art George is taking about is Dr. Bob Mlkvy.
The well-known athlete and dentist from Carbon County died over the weekend. He was 77.
Mlkvy was known by most for his skills on the court at Palmerton High School. That's where he and Art met in the 1950s.
"When I was a senior, he was a big part of our team. He did very well as a freshman. He had to be encouraged, though, to do things," said George.
But that encouragement led Mlkvy to the top!
George tells Newswatch 16 his former teammate led the Blue Bombers to several league titles and a championship game in 1956.
Mlkvy still holds the title as highest scorer for the Blue Bombers. His name is still stitched on the banner inside the school gym.
"Well, had a very soft shot, I remember that and he was a good jumper. Well at 6'4" he could get up there higher than most guys, but he had a very soft shot. He just had control of the basketball all the time. You never knew which way he was going to shoot it, a twist a turn, over the top," said George.
After his high school career, Mlkvy went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania where he also played basketball.
He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
But besides his skills on the court, he was also known off the court, too.
He was the voice of basketball season for Blue Ridge Cable as a commentator.
"He was a star," said Wayne Engle, Palmerton.
Wayne Engle was a friend of Mlkvy. They went to high school together. Engle tells us he will be sadly missed.
"He was always friendly, friendly and you know and funny sometimes," said Engle.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Avenue in Palmerton. Interment will follow with military honors in Towamensing Cemetery in Palmerton.
