SILVER CREEK – The historic skew arch bridge, pro golfer Cindy Miller and MLB player Howard Ehmke aren’t the only shining stars in Silver Creek’s long legacy. Thanks to Hanover Historian Vince Martonis and other municipal leaders, residents are remembering – and celebrating – prolific science fiction author Robert F. Young, who spent his life working and writing in and around the idyllic sylvan village of Silver Creek.

Recently, Martonis facilitated a plaque dedication ceremony and celebration of the life and work of Robert F. Young at the Anderson-Lee Library, complete with speakers, donations of books, raffles and of course, cake!

As Martonis wrote in “The Hanover Historical,” Vol. 30, No. 1, “Robert would have turned 101 this year.” Young lived from 1915 to 1986, and published over 200 short stories, novellas and novels. They were popular in the United States as well as in Japan, Mexico, Italy, France and elsewhere. Writing for Young was a passion and a true labor of love, as he always kept a day job (for a time even at Silver Creek Central School!).

Many community members, public officials, science fiction fans, supporters of the library and Young’s relatives attended the event at the library, including a special guest, Regina “Reggie” Brown, who is Young’s granddaughter. Martonis was bowled over when his entire family showed up, too, traveling from near and far to surprise him!

Several leaders spoke at the dedication, including New York State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Hanover Town Supervisor Todd Johnson, Silver Creek Mayor Nick Piccolo and others. In addition to recognizing Young and his body of work, they also thanked Martonis for his dedication and generosity, crediting him with being the chronicler of the town’s past and the person who keeps important memories alive.

“Without Vince and his research, I don’t know what the town of Hanover would do,” said Johnson.

A proclamation from the office of County Executive Vince Horrigan even named June 23, 2016 “Robert F. Young Day” in Chautauqua County. It stated that Young’s work “has received prestigious recognition” and “continues to thrill and inspire readers from across the world.” It called upon “all citizens to celebrate his life and achievements.”

The Anderson-Lee Library received special thanks for hosting the event, allowing the town to place the historical marker on its lawn, and for agreeing to house a collection of Young’s work – dozens of novels and stories donated by Martonis.

Much more of Young’s work, also procured and donated by Martonis, will be part of the Hanover History Center’s permanent collection, along with Young’s actual typewriter, upon which he created his masterpieces. That was generously donated by Brown, who said what Martonis has done to honor her grandfather is “the best thing ever,” and told the crowd that she hoped everyone would get a chance to pick up one of Young’s books or stories to experience his imagination firsthand.

“We all miss him,” she added.

Before Martonis introduced Gary Barber, retired librarian (Reed Library, SUNY Fredonia), he shared that one of Young’s many claims to fame is that his novel “The Last Yggdrasill” has been “noted by sci-fi experts as the source book for the Disney movie ‘Avatar.'” Disney also expressed interest in Young’s novel “Eridahn,” but couldn’t put together a plan before Young’s death. Other notable accomplishments include the story “Little Dog Gone” being nominated for a Hugo Award in 1965, and the story “Dandelion Girl” influencing the anime series “RahXephon.” However, his most lasting accomplishment – the number of other authors and artists he has inspired through his work – can never be counted or known.

Then it was Barber’s turn, and for him, this dedication was a long time coming.

“This evening is a dream come true for me,” he began. “As a teenager, I was an avid science fiction fan … I even subscribed to the ‘Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction,’ and whenever I saw Robert Young’s name on the cover, his was the first story I always turned to.”

Barber, now a Silver Creek resident, lived in a Buffalo suburb at the time, and had no idea his hero lived so close to him. Eventually, when he worked at Reed Library, Barber saw Young come through the library and pointed him in the direction of the mythology section, but in the time it took Barber to help a few more visitors, Young had gone. That would be his one and only shot.

“I missed the opportunity to maybe ask him what he was researching, or maybe what story he was working on next,” Barber lamented. “… These opportunities, if you don’t grasp them, they’re gone.”

Barber would be the one to take it upon himself to collect Young’s manuscripts from his sister, Mary Dolce, who still lived in Silver Creek.

“She was very happy to hear from me,” Barber remembered. “She said ‘I have all of his manuscripts, and I’m getting up in age, and I’m getting a little concerned, because I don’t know what’s going to happen to them after I’m gone.'”

But she didn’t need to worry after hearing from Barber. Due to his efforts and the family’s generosity, Young’s manuscripts have been safely preserved and carefully stowed in Reed Library’s archives since the year 2000, tucked into acid-free folders and awaiting eager young scholars who want to research “The Sage of Silver Creek.”

And thanks to Martonis, the Anderson-Lee Library and its administration, local leaders with a love of history, Young’s family and Barber’s foresight, the timeless myths, stories and legends dreamed up by Robert F. Young will have a permanent place in the community, where patrons can “check out” his works for years to come.