Rep. Robert W. Godshall, who represented the North Penn area in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives for 36 years before retiring in 2018, died Sunday. He was 86.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
He served 18 terms in Harrisburg, representing Lansdale, Hatfield Borough and Hatfield Township, Salford and Upper Salford Townships, Franconia, Souderton and the Montgomery County portion of Telford. "Representative Godshall was a great support for Lansdale throughout his tenure and we offer our deepest sympathies to his family and friends," said Lansdale Borough on Facebook.
At a June 2019 meeting honoring Godshall, Borough Manager John Ernst noted that his contributions to Lansdale were visible all around town, from youth ballfields for which he helped secure grants, to the Wood-Vine Connector that he helped fund and dedicated in 2014. "There's no question his fingerprints are all over this town, and we appreciate that," said Ernst.
Rep. Steve Malagari, who succeeded Godshall in the 53rd District seat, said, "I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my predecessor… Not only did he serve the 53rd district with tenacity and grace over several decades, he was a kind source of knowledge and guidance for me personally. I share my condolences and prayers for his family and friends at this difficult time."
"LPD wishes to express our condolences to the Godshall Family," said the Lansdale Police Department via Twitter. "Representative Robert Godshall … diligently served the residents of the 53rd congressional district."
"(He) served the area with integrity and distinction for more than three decades,"
said Franconia Township, his home town, via Twitter.
Born on May 15, 1933, Godshall was raised on the family’s Franconia farm and later helped run the family’s poultry business. A graduate of Souderton High and Juniata College and a student at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, Godshall served on the Souderton Area School Board from 1963 to 1980. He was elected Montgomery County Controller from 1980-83, and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Constitution Center Museum in Philadelphia for 12 years.
Besides winning numerous awards including multiple Readers’ Choice Awards from Montgomery Media and The Reporter, Pennsylvania’s House Republicans noted Monday that Godshall’s proudest citation was his 2011 "American Hero Award" from the National Kidney Registry. Himself a recipient of a life-saving bone-marrow transplant, Godshall worked for years to pass legislation providing tax breaks to employers who encouraged organ or bone marrow donors by granting them time off to donate. That legislation is being used as a model by other states.
"People want public officials who can make a difference, and I believe I have done that for my constituents throughout the years,"
Godshall said upon announcing his retirement last year. "I want to thank the people of northern Montgomery County for their support over the years; it really has been one of my life's greatest honors to serve and represent friends and neighbors of the 53rd Legislative District for 36 years."
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