Constituency Luzerne County Spouse Rita Loftus | Name Robert Loftus Political party Democratic Party | |
Children Mary Loftus Martin & Robert Loftus Jr. Died June 22, 2009, Pittston, Pennsylvania, United States Residence Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States | ||
Robert A. "Bob" Loftus, Sr. (1918-June 22, 2009) was one of the longest serving mayors in Pittston City, Pennsylvania, history. He served for 20 years (spanning from 1961-1980).
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Early life
Loftus grew up during the depression and served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater. He later served as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Bob Loftus also served on the Board of Directors and became Vice President of the First National Bank of Pittston. He served as Chairman of the Workmen's Insurance Fund of Pennsylvania for several years.
Mayor of Pittston
When Robert A. Loftus was inaugurated as mayor in 1961, the city was in financial difficulty and the Police Department was badly in need of new equipment. After more than two years, the city was in the "best financial condition since its founding 100 years ago", stated then Pittston Police Chief Joe Delaney in an article published in the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Bulletin (1964).
Loftus was referred to as the "Walking Mayor", after taking up walking for his health, in a Time magazine article.
As mayor, Bob Loftus presented the Keys to the City of Pittston to Admiral Thomas Hinman Moorer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He met with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, 1972 presidential candidate Ed Muskie, and Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey.
Robert A. Loftus remained in office until 1980.
Later life
Robert Loftus died on June 22, 2009. He left behind his wife of 64 years (Rita M. Loftus).