Robert Riegle
April 19, 1930 — April 8, 2024
Robert (Bob) Dean Riegle, 93, of Greenbrier, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home on April 8th, 2024 with his devoted wife of 43 years, Linda, by his side.
It is difficult to summarize the accomplishments of over nine decades of Bob’s journey, however we can highlight those for which he would most wish to be remembered.
Bob was born on Easter Sunday, April 19th, 1930 to Philip and Ruth (Long) Riegle in Eagle Township, Hardin County, Ohio. Like his Riegle ancestors who immigrated to the U.S. from Bavaria in the 1700s, Bob was a pioneer of sorts, especially in the field of athletics. He was a 1948 graduate of Elida Senior High school in Ohio where a lifelong love of sports and coaching was formed. Of note is his quarterbacking of Elida's football team, leading them to back to back undefeated seasons, starring and lettering every year in baseball, basketball, and track, and being voted Homecoming King. He was a pioneer in that he ventured forth to unknown territory. He innovated football plays never previously attempted and was the captain of Elida’s initial track team. After breaking his nose in football his sophomore year, he never missed a snap due to his experimentation of wearing the very first football helmet’s facemask. It is this same pioneering spirit, along with his booming voice and laugh, that was so endearing to those who knew and loved him.
Bob was a man of many talents with a remarkable work ethic. His variety of employment through the decades is a true testament to that. He dairy farmed in both Ohio and Wisconsin, worked masonry in his earlier years with his brothers, was employed at the Ford plant in Lima, Ohio, a printer with Castle Rock Container Corporation, sold steel buildings in multiple states, served as a foreman at Green Giant in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and worked at Lurvey Farms in Dousman and Slinger Farms in Montello. In his later years, his friendship with the local Amish community led to many side-quests and memorable construction adventures.
Bob’s love of antique tractors was well-known and apparent to anyone who knew or met him, as he was commonly spotted in his various Allis Chalmers ballcaps. During his retirement years he enjoyed restoring 1950s Allis Chalmers best, however you could see him rebuilding Farmall, McCormick-Deering, Massey Ferguson, and International Harvesters in the years spent at his favorite home in Dalton, Wisconsin. Bob was a lifetime member and supporter of the Dodge County Antique Power Club and would spend each summer in what his family described as “tractor fever” as he readied his fleet of tractors and assisted the club with their annual show.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Ruth Riegle; brothers: Ernest Reigle, Paul Riegle, and Ralph Riegle; son: Kevin Riegle; niece: Nancy Riegle; nephew: David Riegle. He is survived by wife Linda Riegle; sons: Terry (Linda) Riegle, Ron (Ann) Riegle; daughters: Judy (Dennis) Volkening, Jessica (Rob) Burks; grandchildren: Michelle (Burnell) Shifflet, Vicky (Brian) Ford, Tracy (Randy) Metcalf, Clint (Jenni) Riegle, Gary (Kristin) Wiggins, Robyn Volkening, Jason (Jenny) Volkening, Adam Riegle, Matthew (Lorie) Riegle, Kristyn Cole, Ryder Burks, Isabel Burks; 21 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; nephews: Monty (Connie) Reigle, Rodney Riegle, Tom (Paula) Riegle, Jon (Mary) Riegle; niece: Dianna Baughman and countless other family members and friends.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Gentiva Hospice and the amazing nurses and support staff that allowed Bob to stay in-home until the end.
A celebration of life will occur in the future; date and location to be determined.
It is difficult to summarize the accomplishments of over nine decades of Bob’s journey, however we can highlight those for which he would most wish to be remembered.
Bob was born on Easter Sunday, April 19th, 1930 to Philip and Ruth (Long) Riegle in Eagle Township, Hardin County, Ohio. Like his Riegle ancestors who immigrated to the U.S. from Bavaria in the 1700s, Bob was a pioneer of sorts, especially in the field of athletics. He was a 1948 graduate of Elida Senior High school in Ohio where a lifelong love of sports and coaching was formed. Of note is his quarterbacking of Elida's football team, leading them to back to back undefeated seasons, starring and lettering every year in baseball, basketball, and track, and being voted Homecoming King. He was a pioneer in that he ventured forth to unknown territory. He innovated football plays never previously attempted and was the captain of Elida’s initial track team. After breaking his nose in football his sophomore year, he never missed a snap due to his experimentation of wearing the very first football helmet’s facemask. It is this same pioneering spirit, along with his booming voice and laugh, that was so endearing to those who knew and loved him.
Bob was a man of many talents with a remarkable work ethic. His variety of employment through the decades is a true testament to that. He dairy farmed in both Ohio and Wisconsin, worked masonry in his earlier years with his brothers, was employed at the Ford plant in Lima, Ohio, a printer with Castle Rock Container Corporation, sold steel buildings in multiple states, served as a foreman at Green Giant in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and worked at Lurvey Farms in Dousman and Slinger Farms in Montello. In his later years, his friendship with the local Amish community led to many side-quests and memorable construction adventures.
Bob’s love of antique tractors was well-known and apparent to anyone who knew or met him, as he was commonly spotted in his various Allis Chalmers ballcaps. During his retirement years he enjoyed restoring 1950s Allis Chalmers best, however you could see him rebuilding Farmall, McCormick-Deering, Massey Ferguson, and International Harvesters in the years spent at his favorite home in Dalton, Wisconsin. Bob was a lifetime member and supporter of the Dodge County Antique Power Club and would spend each summer in what his family described as “tractor fever” as he readied his fleet of tractors and assisted the club with their annual show.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Ruth Riegle; brothers: Ernest Reigle, Paul Riegle, and Ralph Riegle; son: Kevin Riegle; niece: Nancy Riegle; nephew: David Riegle. He is survived by wife Linda Riegle; sons: Terry (Linda) Riegle, Ron (Ann) Riegle; daughters: Judy (Dennis) Volkening, Jessica (Rob) Burks; grandchildren: Michelle (Burnell) Shifflet, Vicky (Brian) Ford, Tracy (Randy) Metcalf, Clint (Jenni) Riegle, Gary (Kristin) Wiggins, Robyn Volkening, Jason (Jenny) Volkening, Adam Riegle, Matthew (Lorie) Riegle, Kristyn Cole, Ryder Burks, Isabel Burks; 21 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; nephews: Monty (Connie) Reigle, Rodney Riegle, Tom (Paula) Riegle, Jon (Mary) Riegle; niece: Dianna Baughman and countless other family members and friends.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Gentiva Hospice and the amazing nurses and support staff that allowed Bob to stay in-home until the end.
A celebration of life will occur in the future; date and location to be determined.
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