Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love
Please refer to obituaries for information on visitations, funeral services and requests by the family or deceased for honoring their memory.
Age 86, of the Borough of Whitehall (Pittsburgh), passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, Bob graduated from South Hills High School and Duquesne University. He is survived by his wife Regina, son Richard, daughter Rebecca, sisters Suzanne (Paul) Schrenk and Annys Laufer, brothers Timothy (Sheryl) Reitmeyer and Thomas (Kelly) Reitmeyer, and sister-in-law Barbara Reitmeyer, plus countless cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Harry and David. Bob's career as a helicopter pilot began in the Navy, where he earned his wings, toured the Mediterranean Sea on the USS Taconic, then served on two cruises aboard the USS Edisto, an icebreaker that took him to both the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. Following active duty, he joined the Navy Reserves in Lakehurst, NJ, for a few years before becoming a Weekend Warrior for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Washington, PA, for over 20 years, where he formed many cherished and lifelong friendships. He parlayed his military experience to work as a fixed-wing plane and helicopter pilot for Consol Coal, where he regularly frustrated coworkers with his early morning cheerfulness and occasionally took his children with him on day trips to Washington, DC. Any summary of Bob's life must also chronicle his devotion to the Boy Scouts. Having missed out as a child, he dragooned his son into joining so that he could also participate, even dubbing his daughter an Honorary Boy Scout so that she could attend most outdoor activities with them. Bob served as a troop leader and mentor for many years, attended multiple Jamborees, and taught several Merit Badge classes. When his son worked on his Woodcarving Merit Badge, Bob's childhood interest in woodworking was reignited as well. He took carving lessons and for years rarely went anywhere for an extended period of time without his carving box, unabashedly littering airports, lobbies, the outdoor concert area at South Park, and most importantly the kitchen floor with piles of wood chips. He always said that his side hustle supplying Boy Scout camps with woodcarving blanks kept him out of bars and trouble, and that business plus teaching woodcarving on many a Merit Badge Midway and his periodic articles in Chip Chats Magazine eventually made him known as Whittler Bob to generations of Scouters and carvers alike. While he was a Pittsburgher through and through, Bob was also an inveterate traveler, with his chosen profession serving him well. After retiring from the Guard and Consol, he regularly traveled to visit his children, eventually joining his son on vacations across the US and London, traveling with his daughter through Germany, and successfully talking his wife into that Alaskan cruise he'd wanted to do for years. Bob made friends wherever he went, and stayed busy in his retirement by joining groups such as the Streets Run Watershed Association and Baldwin Historical Society. He was a longtime member of a succession of local gyms, where he spent far more time talking with the other regulars than working out. Although his children never did let him get a Facebook account, Bob still managed to reconnect with childhood friends and kept in touch with military buddies across the country, never using a period in an email when a comma-comma-comma would do. His quick smile, happy laugh, easygoing manner, continual support of his family, unwavering pride in his children, ongoing struggle with the squirrel and the birdfeeder, and endless supply of sawdust will be missed. Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Sunday, September 1, 2024 from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. where a blessing service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. If desired, family suggests contributions to Boy Scouts of America, Laurel Highlands Council: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/hAGC5g or Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: www.paconserve33577.ac-page.com/WPCTributeGift. September 02, 2024 August 30, 2024 August 30, 2024 August 30, 2024 August 29, 2024 August 29, 2024 Contact Us to have your link and message added here. Please fill out the form below. We will contact suitable submissions with further details.Robert F. "Bob" Reitmeyer
March 29, 1938 - August 29, 2024
Obituary For Robert F. "Bob" Reitmeyer
Condolences
Useful Links
Add Your Useful Link