Robert E. Rieck, Jr.

Robert E. Rieck, Jr., a lifetime Toledo resident, died on December 17th of complications after contracting COVID-19. He was 79.

Bob was born July 17, 1941 to Robert and Edith Rieck. He graduated from Libbey High School in 1959. After graduation, Bob entered the U.S. Army in 1960 and was stationed in Karlsruhe and Wiesbaden, Germany. Bob was extremely proud of his military service, wearing his Veteran baseball
cap proudly almost everywhere he went. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1962.

Bob was a hard worker his entire life. While in high school, he worked as a stock boy at Tiedtke's in downtown Toledo. After returning home from his time in the Army, Bob went back to work at Tiedtke's before taking a job as a food buyer for Bartley Company. He went on to take a job as a food buyer at Seaway Food Town, where he worked until the grocery chain shut down in 2003. Bob was always the first one in the office every morning. Every year at the holidays, his house was full of special holiday baskets sent from his suppliers that he treated so well. Bob ended his working career at Capital Tire.

Bob was a fixture at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, OH. Up until his death, Bob could be found "out at the Grove" cutting grass, maintaining the grounds, or doing anything that needed to be done. He was a member of the American Turners and the Toledo Schwäbischer Unterstützungs Verein. Bob was also a member of the Teutonia Chor of Toledo. He loved singing and taking group trips to Germany with his fellow choir members. For many years, Bob was the Food Chairman for the German American Festival. During every GAF, you could find Bob riding a golf cart around the grounds, making sure everything was running smoothly.

Bob was an avid sports fan and athlete. He played softball with the American Turners and competed in tournaments all across the country. Bob was also a skilled bowler, often giving professional bowlers a run for their money in the Annual PBA Pro-Am Tournament held in Toledo. He was table tennis champ of his Army base and once played the world champion. Bob's accuracy in horseshoes and cornhole was legendary. He loved his Toledo Mud Hens and attended many games over the years.

Bob's faith was extremely strong and a big part of his life. He was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church for many years, and most recently, St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Sylvania. Bob was also active in Via de Cristo and attended their weekend gatherings for many years.

But most important to Bob was his family. He met his wife Nancy at a Tiedtke's party in the basement of a bowling alley. They were married on October 2, 1965. They raised their two sons in their beloved home on North Haven in West Toledo. Later in his life, Bob loved spending time with his granddaughters, Danielle and Madison. They were the light of his life and nothing put a bigger smile on his face than being with them.

Surviving Bob are his beloved wife of 55 years Nancy; sons Brian (Kristina) and Kevin (Christine); and granddaughters Danielle and Madison. He was preceded in death by his sister Beverly.

The family will receive guests on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home - Northwest Chapel, 4150 W. Laskey Rd., Toledo (419-473-0300). Funeral Services will be private. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park and all are welcome. (For the safety of the Rieck family and their guests masks are required with social distancing).

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Cherry Street Mission in Toledo, OH or St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Sylvania, OH.

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