Robert Curtis Hettler

Robert Curtis Hettler, born February 15, 1946, passed away on October 29th, 2018. Bob was born in Gatesville, Texas, but was raised in Youngstown, OH. He graduated from Youngstown South High School (1964) and Mount Union College (1968). It was at Mount where he met the love of his life, Kathryne “Kay” (Norton) Hettler, on a first date that involved ice skating and lots of laughter. They had been married for almost 50 years and have two children, Rob (Nicola) Hettler of Columbus and Kirsten (Pat) Lefebure of Williamstown, WV. He is survived by five grandchildren (Nate, Remy, Audrey, Maggie and Owen), who all loved their Papa more than can be imagined. He is also survived by his big brother Dr. Bill Hettler of Crystal, MN, his little sister, Patty Russell, of La Jolla, CA, his father-in-law, Frederick H. Norton of Sebring, OH and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Gerhard Wilhelm Hettler, II, his mother, Jeanne Roath Hettler, and his mother-in-law, Mary Rennie Norton.

Bob lived life to its fullest, centered around service to others and love of his family. He taught high school math in Waterloo Local Schools for many years, followed by a second “retirement career” with IT systems at Waterloo. Of utmost importance to Bob was his love of YMCA camping, which started in 1954 as a camper at YMCA Camp Fitch in North Springfield, PA, followed by an interlude at Frost Valley YMCA in NY where he and Kay made numerous close friends. He brought his young family back to Camp Fitch in 1978, continuing to work at Fitch through this past summer. He had a positive impact on thousands of lives over his years in summer camping, ranging from teaching kids sailing and waterskiing on Lake Erie to just being a friendly ear for those in need. He was truly a good person, a brother, a friend, a husband, a dad, and a Papa, and he will be dearly missed. His final act of generosity was to heal others through Lifebanc of Northeast Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to help a kid in need go to camp: YMCA Camp Fitch, 12600 Abels Road, North Springfield, PA 16430 or through https://bit.ly/2SyCQBp. A celebration of life will be held at 2pm on Sunday, November 18th, 2018 at the Union Ave. United Methodist Church in Alliance, OH. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gednetz-Ruzek-Brown Funeral Home, Sebring, 330-938-2526.

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