Kurt D. Zwikl

Kurt D. Zwikl, 72, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, loyal friend, and dedicated community servant, passed away September 1, 2021, at home in Allentown. He and his wife Barbara (Goodliffe) Zwikl celebrated 46 years of marriage in January. An Allentown native, Kurt’s professional life was devoted to serving his community, starting with his election in 1973 at age 24 as the youngest ever Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He served in the Legislature for twelve years, where he earned a reputation for integrity, intelligence, humor, and the ability to work across the aisle to advance the common good. He decided not to seek re-election in 1984, and worked in the banking industry for 12 years, becoming senior vice president for public affairs and government at the former First Union National Bank. Kurt’s love of history was apparent to all who knew him and was marked by his appointment by Governor Robert Casey to serve as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission from 1988-1995, and by his service from 2003 -2015 as the Executive Director of the Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area. Kurt lived his passion for history, traveling the country to visit numerous presidential birthplaces and libraries with his family. He prized his collection of historical and political memorabilia, and if asked, could recount the story behind each treasured item. Despite his many professional accomplishments, Kurt was most proud of his long, happy marriage and his family. He delighted in their achievements and the arrival of each of his four grandsons brought him great joy. A devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Kurt enjoyed attending games with his son and debating football with his brothers-in-law. His children remember a father who taught by example the importance of love, loyalty, and service to others. As president of the Allentown Economic Development Corporation starting in 1996, he oversaw numerous revitalization projects in the city’s central business district. Kurt was a graduate of East Stroudsburg University and earned his master’s degree in American History from Lehigh University. Kurt’s passion for his community was evident in the many organizations he served in a volunteer leadership capacity, including as a founding member of the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor Commission, a founding member of the Pennsylvania State Capital Preservation Committee and the Pennsylvania Keystone State Games Board of Directors, a past president of the boards of directors of the Baum School of Art and the Lehigh County Historical Society, membership on the board of directors of Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Liberty Bell Shrine, America of Wheels, the Board of Associates of Muhlenberg College, Cedar Crest College, Lehigh Valley Hospital and the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and Preservation Pennsylvania. Kurt was recognized for his work by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and was named a Keystone Laureate of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. He also received community service awards from the Allentown Sertoma Club and the Scotty Wood Basketball Tournament at Muhlenberg College. He was the recipient of the Otto Haas Award in 1993 and in 2016 was awarded the James Biddle Award for Lifetime Achievement in Preservation. A recognized expert in Pennsylvania history, Kurt published several articles on state and local history and in 1989, he edited and wrote the text for Taking Pictures, a book of photographs by his late father, a noted Lehigh Valley photographer. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Kurt was preceded in death by his father, William R. Zwikl and his mother, Mildred K. (Kranch) Zwikl. In addition to his wife Barbara, he is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Zwikl Barnes of Allentown, his son Kent D. Zwikl, daughter-in-law Lisa Zwikl and grandsons Jacob Barnes, Justin Barnes, William Zwikl and Charles Zwikl. A memorial service will be held on October 9, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown 3231 W. Tilghman St. Allentown. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank, 245 N. 6th St., Allentown, PA 18102 or: To the scholarship being established in his name by the Allentown School District Foundation. Checks may be made payable to: Allentown School District Foundation, with a notation designating the gift to the Kurt Zwikl Scholarship, or online at https://asdf.allentownsd.org/donations.