Robert Anckaitis Set to Leave Post of Township Manager

Robert Anckaitis has never been afraid of a challenge. The former Army commander left the military only to pick up a paper on a job search and wind up in a new challenge, township manager. Now he’s looking to take on yet another challenge in life, retirement.

Last week, Anckaitis, who has served 11 years as the Palmer Township Manager, announced he would be retiring as of June 1.

“It feels wonderful,” he said.

The 65-year-old said he would like to travel with his wife, Kathy.

With four grandchildren -- two in Swarthmore and two more in Salt Lake City -- visits there will be more frequent. Anckaitis said he would also like to visit parts of Europe he’s never toured.  Always the planner, he has already put aside finances for a couple of two-week trips to Europe each year.

“We’ll go back to countries we’ve been to, a few that we haven’t,” said Anckaitis.

Anckaitis, an Easton native and graduate of Lafayette College, came to Palmer Township after serving five and a half years as the township manager for Lower Saucon, a job he had never done.

“I said you know it’s very similar. I was the leader in the military versus a leader in the township. The tasks are pretty much the same,” said Anckaitis.

Prior to working in Lower Saucon, Anckaitis served 24 years as a battalion commander in the Army before retiring from active duty.

He was hired in Palmer in December 1999. The position was created thanks in part to the changing face of the municipality. Increasing housing and commercial development and parkland prompted the need to do away with the secretary-treasurer form of government and hire a full-time manager.

The township Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss hiring Anckaitis's replacement tonight. The meeting has been scheduled for 7pm in the meeting room of the Palmer Memorial Library at 1 Weller Place.  The hope is to have a replacement on board by the first of May, said Anckaitis.