Mr. Joseph “Indian Joe” Nejman, a former Cheltenham High School teacher and United States Army World War II veteran, founded Camp Anglewood, a popular Elkins Park day camp, in 1952.

According to local historian Chuck Langerman, he was also a football standout before he came to Wyncote. Nejman attended Frankford High School in Philadelphia and in 1940 led his team to a 13-0 victory over West Catholic in the City Football Championship before close to 40,000 fans at Franklin Field.

He went on to attend Temple University in 1942, became the Owls’ starting quarterback, then took leave to enlist in the US Army during World War II. After serving in Africa and Europe for close to three years, he returned to Temple to quarterback the 1946 and 1947 teams.

In 1947, he was named team captain, Most Valuable Player, and an honorable mention All-American.

He was inducted into the Temple and Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fames and was a member of the Elkins Society at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Nejman taught Social Studies and Physical Education at CHS for 34 years before retiring in 1985.

He passed away on July 13, 2012 at the age of 91. He and his wife Nicky were married for 63 years.

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Photos: wetzelandson.com, Flickr.com