July 3, 2025
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Robert Kilbanks, who was active in Lehigh Valley politics and public service for decades, died June 23 while on a family visit to Atlantic City, according to the Ashton Funeral Home.
Kilbanks was a Republican and ran unsuccessfully in 1996 to represent the Lehigh Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives. He worked for 16 years in the office of Pennsylvania Rep. Joe Emrick, R-137th District.
As a resident and candidate, Kilbanks espoused ideas that were novel in the 1990s but now are mainstream in some elements of the Republican Party. He organized demonstrations against Federal Reserve policy and supported term limits for federal officials and limits on government spending.
He was ahead of his political time in some respects.
Kilbanks was also known for his courtesy to the media and his availability to discuss issues.
He was a graduate of Easton Area High School and Lafayette College, according to his obituary.
Here is a link to his obituary, posted by the Ashton Funeral Home of Easton.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 