Robert A. Loftus
Encyclopedia
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.
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. Loftus was referred to as the "Walking Mayor", after taking up walking for his health, in a Time
magazine article.
His wife of 64 years was Rita M. (Shea) Loftus.
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).
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.
Pittston, Pennsylvania
Pittston is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an active anthracite coal mining city, drawing a large portion of its labor force from European immigrants. The population was...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
history. He served for 20 years, spanning from 1961-1980.
Early life
Loftus grew up during the depressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and served with the U.S. Army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the European Theater. He later served as Chairman of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
of Luzerne County
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
- Demographics :As of the 2010 census, the county was 90.7% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% were two or more races. 6.7% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. Bob Loftus also served on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
and became Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of the First National Bank
First National Bank
First National Bank may refer to:-Banking institutions :* First National Bank of Florida, based in Milton, Florida, with branches in Pensacola and other cities in the Florida Panhandle.* FNB Corporation of Hermitage, Pennsylvania...
of Pittston. He served as Chairman of the Workmen's Insurance Fund of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
for several years. Loftus was referred to as the "Walking Mayor", after taking up walking for his health, in a Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine article.
His wife of 64 years was Rita M. (Shea) Loftus.
Mayor of Pittston
When Robert A. Loftus was inauguratedInauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
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
Chief of police
A Chief of Police is the title typically given to the top official in the chain of command of a police department, particularly in North America. Alternate titles for this position include Commissioner, Superintendent, and Chief constable...
Joe Delaney in an article published in the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Bulletin (1964).
As mayor, Bob Loftus presented the Keys to the City of Pittston to Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Thomas Hinman Moorer
Thomas Hinman Moorer
-External links:...
, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
. He met with U.S. President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
, 1972 presidential candidate
United States presidential election, 1972
The United States presidential election of 1972 was the 47th quadrennial United States presidential election. It was held on November 7, 1972. The Democratic Party's nomination was eventually won by Senator George McGovern, who ran an anti-war campaign against incumbent Republican President Richard...
Ed Muskie, and Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey
Robert P. Casey
Robert Patrick "Bob" Casey, Sr. was an American politician from Pennsylvania. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 42nd Governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 to 1995...
.
Robert A. Loftus remained in office until 1980.