Robert L. Kilmer "Bob", age 87, passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022. He was born in Coatesville, PA, in the back of a police car.  He was named after the policeman who delivered him, Officer Robert Lee.  He was then raised in Aston, PA, and lived most recently in New Castle, DE.

A proud 20-year veteran of the United States Navy, Bob first honorably served  his country aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20), on which he earned the title "Shellback", visited ports of call in South America and sailed around Cape Horn on his way to the Pacific in 1955.  He served ashore in Morocco, Rhode Island,  and Puerto Rico after that,  and later, returned to sea aboard the USS Lake Champlain (CV-39).  The Lake Champlain was the prime recovery ship for the first manned Project Mercury mission, and Bob was on deck with her crew to welcome home Astronaut Alan Shepard from his historic space flight on May 5, 1961.

His first marriage produced three children, David in 1962, Saundra in 1963, and Stephen in 1964.  The life of a Sailor with a wife and three kids back on shore required love, patience, sacrifice, and dedication, qualities that were never lacking in this man.

During the Vietnam War, Bob served aboard the USS Diamond Head (AE-19), an ammunition ship serving the fleet.  It was of this period of service that he was proudest, and from which most of his best sea stories were born.  Aboard her, he transited the Panama Canal in 1967 on the way to the war, where he and his shipmates supplied the fleet with the tools they needed to prosecute their mission.  He later treasured the reunions with this crew decades after retirement and remained close to several of his shipmates until his passing.

Towards the end of his long and distinguished Navy career, Bob and his family lived in Norfolk, VA, and then Philadelphia, PA for several years in his role as a Navy Recruiter, helping hundreds of people to realize their potential through service to the country.  He was particularly honored to have helped his nephew, Ron Kilmer to enlist, and they remained close through the end of Bob's life. He finally ended his Navy service as part of the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in Norfolk, VA until his retirement in 1974, having risen to the rank of Senior Chief.

Following his 20 years of honorable service and subsequent retirement from the military, Bob tried a few new career paths before he went on to work at Delcora for the next 23 years, until his second retirement.

During his career at Delcora, and years after the end of his first marriage, in 1988 Bob married the woman who had become the true love of his life, Jackie Wisely Reiher.  Without thought for his own safety, he also accepted responsibility for her four young, rambunctious children, taking them into his heart without reservation and raising them as his own.  Along the way, another son was added to the mix, when in 1989, Bob, Jackie, Traci, June, David, and Scot welcomed Aaron to their world.  At a time when most men were happy to live "the quiet life," Bob simply began a whole new adventure,  sharing all the highs and lows that accompany being a husband and father to five kids.  The premature passing of Aaron in 2007, which left huge holes in the hearts of all who knew him, only served to highlight Bob's faithfulness to God and to his family, and Bob's strength of Faith and Character became an anchor for all of us during this worst of times.

In 2000, at the beginning of the new millenium - as if two careers and retirements were not enough - Bob dove headfirst into his third career.

Bob's passion for the God he so faithfully served intersected with his dedication to the members of law enforcement - specifically, the Aston Police Department as their Chaplain.

For 21 years, Bob poured his heart out for the officers and citizens alike of Aston Township and he also worked with the Chaplains of Delaware County with the LECDC and with Police Officers On Pension as an honorary member of their motorcycle club.  Yes, at 80 years old, Bob joined a motorcycle gang!  Bob had a deep and lasting commitment to the men and women of law enforcement, and loved his comrades at the Aston Police most of all.

In December of 2021, he was recognized by the Aston Police Department at his third and final retirement.

To anyone who knew Bob personally, it is a well known fact that he faced some of the hardest circumstances that one could encounter in life, but he did so with an unwavering faith in God and a belief that "All things WILL work together for good for those who love the Lord!"

His steadfast love and dedication to his family will be remembered by all who knew him and the void he left in our lives, will loom large.

Above all else, Bob was a godly, Christian man and a wonderful example of God's grace and love to everyone with whom he came in contact.

He was a devoted husband, loving father, Grampy, Baby, and Pop-Pop to his beloved family.

Bob is predeceased by his parents William and Violet Kilmer, his son, Aaron Kilmer, and his granddaughter Crystal Garrett.

Survivors: Wife: Jackie Kilmer. Children: Deb Newman (Kendall), Dave Kilmer (Lisa), Saundra Garrett, Steve Kilmer (Monica), Traci Counts (Jason), June Glass (Steve), David Reiher (Kim), and Scot Reiher (Tiffany). Bob also leaves behind his legacy of 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

To those mourning his death, Bob would say,

"I hope each of you will realize that you too can get to heaven, just like me.

It is only the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ that can set us free.

I simply recognized that I was a hell-bound sinner with no hope for a cure.

As soon as I received Christ as Savior, I was headed for heaven's gracious shore.

I know that you will miss me and tears may stream down your face.

But thank God, I will no longer have to struggle in the sin cursed, worldly race.

For I know what God's infinite grace and mercy hold in store.

You, too, can accept Jesus and we can one day meet on heaven's lovely shore."

Excerpt from "On Heaven's Shore" by Robert L Kilmer

Visitation: Thursday, January 13, 2022, from 10:00am -12:00pm at Nolan Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Ave., Aston, PA 19014. Funeral Service: Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 12:00pm at Nolan Fidale Funeral Home. Burial:  Mt. Hope Cemetery, Aston, PA.  In lieu of flowers: Memorial donations may be made to the Aston Police Relief Association.  Checks can be mailed to 1 New Rd., Aston, PA 19014. Condolences: www.nolanfidale.com.

Service Location Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home Get Directions

Begins: Jan 13, 2022 12:00pm - 12:45pm

5980 Chichester Ave Aston, PA 19014 Cemetery Location Mount Hope Cemetery Get Directions

Jan 13, 2022 1:15pm - 1:30pm

4020 Concord Rd Aston, PA 19014 Condolences