Robert C. Bieler 89 years, of Emmaus, PA, died Friday 12/9/22.  A loving father and family man, a faithful spouse of 68 years, a great friend to many, Bob was a man who served God, country, and family.  Bob's happiest moments were when he was in the midst of family and friends throughout his fully and richly lived life.  Kindness, devotion, family focus, and faith were among his trademarks.

Son of Allen and Carrie Bieler, Bob was born in his uncle Howard Fluck's home on February 9, 1933, in Barto, PA.  Bob was a 1950 graduate of Pennsburg high school in PA where he played football and worked at his father's feed mill.  He later received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954 from Albright College in Reading, PA, where he served as President of APO fraternity and class president for 2 years.

While Bob was attending college, he met his future wife Ruth who was attending nearby Reading Hospital School of Nursing, and they married in August of 1954 in Denver, PA, joined by his best man Tom Pepe.

In 1955 Bob was drafted into the US Army, 101st Airborne Division, where he served in infantry and became a radio school instructor at Ft. Jackson SC.  He later began his employment with Bethlehem Steel, retiring after 35 years as a purchasing agent, having worked on purchasing projects including supporting the Navy for various nuclear vessels. He worked initially at Quincy, MA, then at Bethlehem, PA, where he and Ruth befriended their coworker "couples," their dear friends for life.

Bob's retirement time was predominantly spent at Ocean City NJ, where he became the unofficial mayor of 28th St. beach. He loved spending his time boating and beaching with neighborhood friends and family and enjoying happy hour and sunsets in his shore house backyard.

Bob was a big sports fan and loved the Philadelphia Eagles and Penn State football teams.  He also enjoyed playing tennis.

Bob was a member and an elder at Faith Presbyterian Church, Emmaus, PA, where he also served as a Sunday school superintendent.   He also was a 50-year member of the Rural Lodge of AF&AM Masons in Quincy MA. He also served as a Cubmaster.

He is survived by his beloved wife Ruth Bieler, his sons David Bieler and his wife Marty of Flemington, NJ,  Scott Bieler and his wife Deb of Wilmington, DE, his daughters Karen Bieler Via of Virginia Beach, VA, and Diane Fischer and her husband Rich of Pittsburgh, PA, and his 9 grandchildren; Jonathan Bieler, Lauren Stypula, Anderson Via, Katherine Bieler, Morgan Fischer, Marshall Via, Allison Fischer, Kimberly Bieler, and Jordan Bieler.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church of Emmaus, PA on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 12 PM with a family meet and greet prior to the service between 11AM to 12PM

The Bieler family would like to extend special thanks to nurse Karen Jost and the extended medical community of LVHN.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Robert Bieler to:

• Operation Smile at operationsmile.org at 1-888-249-3797
• Faith Presbyterian Church " Celebration Fund ",  3002 N 2nd St. Emmaus PA 18049