Robert William Breitzig Jr.

Robert William (Bill) Breitzig, Jr. passed away on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, at the age of 78.  Bill is survived by his three daughters – Susan Breitzig of Chagrin Falls, OH, Beth (Pete) Krause of Chagrin Falls, OH, and Mary (Kurt) Tekaucic of Columbus, OH; four grandchildren – Andrew, Maggie and Ethan Krause and Zane Tekaucic; and his brother – Glenn (Shirley) Breitzig of Venice, FL. Bill was born on September 14, 1938 in Detroit, MI to Jeanne Elizabeth Barber Breitzig and Robert William Breitzig, Sr. He grew up in Glenshaw, PA near Pittsburgh, and graduated from Shaler High School.  He attended Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland and graduated in 1960.  While at Case, Bill was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity.  Bill joined the Navy in 1962 and served in active duty in Dahlgren, VA, on the USS Lindenwald, followed by many years in the reserves in Huntington, WV.  He retired from the Navy in 1991, having earned the rank of Captain. Bill moved with his family to Barboursville, WV in 1965, where he was a metallurgical engineer for International Nickle Company (INCO).  He took early retirement from INCO so that he could start a second career as a high school physics teacher. He taught at Barboursville High School in Barboursville, WV.   He moved to Wellington, FL where he also taught physics at Glades Central High School in Belle Glade.  He retired from teaching, and later moved to Chagrin Falls, OH. Bill was a family man - dedicated to his daughters and proud of his grandkids.  Bill was a mentor to countless high school students and young adults.  Bill was an active volunteer. He helped plan high school reunions for his Shaler High classmates and Navy reunions for his shipmates from the USS Lindenwald.  He volunteered at Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church in Barboursville as an elder, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and senior high youth group leader.  He volunteered for the local PBS station and for a suicide hotline.  He was president of the Barboursville Elementary School PTA and president of the Barboursville High School Band Boosters.  He could be seen most football Friday nights working in the concession stand.  He assisted many young men and women through the challenges of applying to the U.S. Naval Academy as a Blue & Gold Officer for the Naval Academy.  While living in Chagrin Falls, he volunteered several days each week for over ten years at the USO center at the Cleveland airport.  Bill loved people, and he loved to laugh.  He was a good friend, a great brother, and an amazing dad. A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, May 13 at 1:00 pm at Valley Presbyterian Church in Chagrin Falls, OH.  Friends can visit with the family following the service at the church.  Burial is scheduled for Monday, May 15 at 1:00 pm at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, OH.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the USO of Northern Ohio at 20637 Emerald Parkway, Cleveland, OH, 44135 or www.USO.org.

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