Annual Reunions
Our Next Reunion Will Be Held on June 14, 2026!
2026 Featured Speaker
Pastor Bob Gerhart
Rev. Robert W. Gerhart, recently retired after 62 years of Pastoral Ministry, having served churches in Quakertown; Downey, California; Maseru, Lesotho (in southern Africa); Bally PA; and Springfield, Upper Bucks County. His missionary service in Southern Africa, with the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, also led to seven years as a Mission staff person for AIMM in Elkhart, Indiana, before returning to his home town of Bally in 1988, to pastor the Hereford Mennonite Church for the next twenty years.
Bob Gerhart grew up in Eastern Berks County and is a graduate of Boyertown Area High School and, in 1963, graduated from Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. During his college days, he met his wife, Joyce, originally from Isabel, South Dakota. After marriage in 1963, Bob began studies at Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia, while serving in Quakertown. He graduated with a Divinity degree in 1967. He later earned a Doctorate in Ministry in 2005 from Westminster Theological Seminary.
Ordained in the General Conference Mennonite Church in 1964, Bob served in various denominational positions. In 1998, he was part of a movement that led to the formation of AMEC, the Alliance Mennonite Evangelical Congregations. Pastor Gerhart became the first Executive Director of AMEC, serving from 2002 to 2020.
This Year’s Topic:
“Rev. Hans George Bechtel’s “return” to the 21st Century“
Once back in Pennsylvania, Pastor Gerhart discovered the fascinating history of Rev. Hans George Bechtel (1706-1759), the Hereford congregation’s founder and the first Mennonite preacher to reside in Berks County, having arrived in 1728. With a life-long interest in local history, Pastor Bob Gerhart has brought Rev. George Bechtel “back to life” with his historically accurate, costumed impersonation.
During Rev. George Bechtel’s “return” to the 21st Century, to attend the Kolb-Kulp-Culp Reunion, he will share his 18th Century experiences and some memories of the Kolb brothers, who were his contemporaries and colleagues in ministry in southeastern Pennsylvania. George, who was born the same year as Benjamin Franklin, was also acquainted with Henry Antes of Frederick and heard the English evangelist George Whitfield preach during his travels through the colony of Pennsylvania.
Past Reunion Speakers:
2025 Featured Speaker
Rodney Culp
Rodney is a descendant of George Michael Kolb, who came to America in 1738 from Meckesheim, Germany. He has recently published a book detailing his family’s genealogical history, including their 200 year and seven generations wheelwright business.
This Year’s Topic:
“History of the Kulp Family of Mechesheim”
We are excited to announce that Rodney Kulp will be presenting a special PowerPoint on the History of the Kulp Family of Meckesheim at our 2025 Reunion to be held on June 8th at the Lower Skippack Mennonite Church Social Hall. Rodney will focus on the Kulp family’s origins, tracing the line of George Michael Kolb, who arrived in America in 1738, entering through the Port of Philadelphia. The family settled in New Hanover Township, part of what was Western Philadelphia County, near what is now the Green Lane Reservoir.
Rodney will explore the Kulp family’s legacy, specifically their role in wagon making in Pennsylvania, from colonial times through the 1930s. For nearly 200 years and seven generations, the Kolb/Kulp family operated a successful wheelwright business, contributing to the development of the region.
In addition to the presentation, Rodney has recently published a genealogy book detailing this line of family history, which will be available for purchase in limited quantities at the reunion.
Rodney Allan Kulp, Sr. is a passionate history enthusiast, particularly focused on local and American history. He takes great pride in exploring the rich tapestry of his family’s heritage and often immerses himself in researching the stories that have shaped both his community and the nation. Beyond his historical interests, Rodney enjoys woodworking, a craft that allows him to connect with the past in a hands-on way, creating functional and beautiful pieces that reflect his personal touch. Above all, he treasures the time spent with his family, considering it an essential part of his life that fuels his work, research and his commitment to preserving the history and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
The 2025 Reunion was a Great Success with 57 Attending!
2024 Featured Speaker
Walt Johnson
Walt is a retired teacher and historian with the Skippack Historical Society.
2024 Reunion Topic:
“Dielman Kolb and the Kolb Leadership in the Early Years of Bebber’s Township
And the Mennonite Congregation at the Skippack Meeting House”
When our Kolb ancestors first came to Pennsylvania in 1707, they first settled in Germantown, a small community about 6 miles north of the rapidly growing town of Philadelphia. Germantown itself was becoming a prosperous town in its own right, but the Kolbs and others soon left for an area 20 miles to the northwest known as Bebber’s Township, later to be known as Skippack. The Kolbs quickly became leaders in early Skippack and the Mennonite congregation there. Their younger brother, Dielman Kolb arrived in 1717, taking up residence not far away in Lower Salford, where he made his own contributions to the area and the Mennonite Church.
This year’s reunion speaker, Walt Johnson, will talk about the founding of Skippack and the Kolb’s influence during its founding and following years.
Walt grew-up in Creamery, Skippack Township, graduating from the Collegeville-Trappe High School. He then received a B.S. degree from Ursinus College and later attended Ohio State University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Mathematics. He taught for 25 years at the Indian Valley Junior High School and then 13 years at the Souderton Area High School. He also was an associate professor at Ursinus College in the Education Department for 5 years. Walt is a 5thgeneration teacher in Skippack Township, following grandfathers Henry G. Johnson, Henry H., Henry M., and his father Ralph W. Johnson as continuous teachers beginning in 1826! His son teaches at Indian Valley Middle School, making the streak the 6th generations!!!!
After retiring from being a math teacher, he became interested in the local history of the area. He is currently involved in the Skippack Historical Society, serving as a historian. He is also director and chairman of “Washington’s Encampment”, a living history event held in the village of Skippack held each September. He also gives tours of the historic IndenHofen House and Barn Museums, and enjoys presenting programs of our local history to scout groups, senior citizen communities and civic groups.
Walt is also a descendent of Jacob Kolb!
The 2024 Reunion was a Great Success with 47 Attending!
