Carl Saldutti’s obituary on the funeral home website is brief, factual and to the point. A stranger reading it probably took notice that Lansdale’s long-time parks and recreation director died last Saturday and quickly moved on.
At least three generations of borough residents, many thousands of them I’m sure, reacted like I did when I heard the news—with shock, extreme sadness and a tremendous sense of loss, not only for his family but also for the town he loved and the loss it will surely feel now that he’s gone.
Carl Saldutti was, in fact, a "public servant,” paid by the taxpayers of Lansdale to run its parks and recreation programs. The term has some negative connotations in today’s world. Too many, we fear, are in it for personal gain. Carl was clearly in it for the betterment of his community, a fact anyone who knew him could not overlook.
His body of work can be found all over town. The parks—Memorial, Stony Creek, Whites Road, Wissahickon, Railroad Plaza and the others—would be the envy of any community because he insisted on doing things the right way, not necessarily the most convenient.
The swimming pools, music in the park and downtown, the annual outdoor art show, educational programs for adults and kids. Support for any organization that promoted Lansdale’s positive side. He was always there, ready to get personally involved.
Carl’s badge of honor was his favorite uniform: sneakers, tattered jeans and a tee-shirt. Whatever the event, he enjoyed staying out of the limelight watching others enjoy the fruits of his labors. Even on the day he was given Lansdale’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, he was reluctant to leave his duties at the Memorial Park art show to accept the honor.
What endeared him to so many was his personality. Carl was literally a whirlwind of activity, taking myriad phone calls, bouncing from meeting to meeting, writing endless notes, zipping around town in his SUV, sweating the little details others would overlook. "Don’t forget the Porta-potties,” he would say, followed by, "Don’t worry, I’ll take care of them.” And he would, without fail.
Yet he would find time to talk to the summer hires at the pools and assure them that their work was important. If there was a problem, they could come see him. After all, he started out as they did.
Despite all the bureaucratic hurdles his job required him to clear, Carl Saldutti remained true to himself. He was humble, personable, as good as his word and the type of friend, boss or co-worker everyone should be so lucky to have.
Come spring, the pools will open, the parks will burst forth in a sea of colors, the ballfields will be lined, and music will cascade down from the amphitheater stage. What will be absent is the little guy in the faded shorts standing in the background taking pride in his town. Yes, Carl. You will be missed.
(Dick Shearer is president of the Lansdale Historical Society and a former editor of The Reporter.)
See also:
Local Leaders React to Passing of Carl Saldutti
Carl Saldutti, Lansdale Parks and Recreation Director, Dies at 69
