Marine Mammal Stranding Center honors its first director

John Russo

BRIGANTINE — The hardest part of founding and operating a rescue sanctuary is starting out, Bob Schoelkopf said.

He had to work different jobs just to pay the bills and feed the animals being taken care of at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Then the help came, and it made the job at least a little bit easier.

On Saturday morning, Schoelkopf was honored in front of family and friends with a street sign dedication — Bob Schoelkopf Drive — at the center on Brigantine Boulevard.

After 47 years, the job of rescuing marine wildlife every year doesn't get easier, but the ability to do it for so long is something Schoelkopf expressed gratitude toward Saturday.

"A lot of the people here today are volunteers or had been volunteers over the years, and that makes me feel good," sai