STIFFLER

ROBERT BLAND

Age 91, of O'Hara Township, PA, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away peacefully at the Presbyterian SeniorCare Willows residence, on June 4, 2025.

He was born in Altoona, PA, on February 5, 1934, to the late Ross Charles and Beatrice (Bland) Stiffler. He was married for 63 years to Jo Ann Stiffler, and together they had two sons, Mark (Tammy) Stiffler, and Craig (Leslie) Stiffler. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Sarah Stiffler, Michael Stiffler, Matthew Stiffler, Katherine (Matthieu) Shivnen; his sister, Carole Sharpe; and his brother, David (Jane) Stiffler.

Bob, or Robert when Jo Ann was making a point to him, loved life to its fullest. He was physically active until his stroke in 2010, traveled extensively, and cared deeply about those he met and issues close to his heart.

Bob led an active life and loved sports. In high school, he played varsity basketball for Altoona High School, where he perfected his sky hook, frustrating opponents for his ability to consistently make that shot from the top of the key. He continued playing for his Alma Mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he received his teaching degree. One of his biggest disappointments was that neither of his sons showed any basketball skills!

Later in life, Bob and Jo Ann took up biking, canoeing and walking, often merging these activities into their trips across the globe. For over two decades, Bob and Jo Ann drove a minivan with the bikes permanently ready to be deployed if they came across an interesting opportunity.

Early in his career, Bob had a short but romantic stint teaching in the Penn Hills School District, as this is where he met and fell in love with Jo Ann, with whom he was inseparable. Bob went on to the Shady Side Academy Middle School, where he taught and coached every season for 28 years. Bob was famous for his seventh grade math course, which everyone in the school had to pass before moving on. While a strict teacher in class, as attested to by the many wooden yard sticks he went through, Mr. Stiffler, as he was called by his students, worked with each of them to ensure they flourished. He was beloved by former students who kept in touch through the years, many of whom expressing how he positively impacted their lives.

Bob was also a leader at the school, spending many years as the Athletic Director and Head of the Mathematics Department. The Robert B. Stiffler Athletics Award is given annually to an eighth grader for excellence in sportsmanship, leadership and concern for teammates.

When Bob took a sabbatical from Shady Side, he used the opportunity to volunteer at the Heinz Veterans Affairs Hospital in Aspinwall, PA, where he continued to faithfully serve for the next 17 years. One of the patient groups represented at the hospital made Bob an honorary member of the China Burma India Veterans Association (CBIVA) for his dedication to and caring for its members.

Throughout his life, Bob cared deeply about those he met and interacted with. Whether it was the waiter at a restaurant or a former student, Bob wanted to know everything about them. We affectionately referred to this as "conducting interviews." Bob never forgot anything someone would tell him when he met them again, asking for updates on all he had discovered.

But, perhaps his most favorite pastime was visiting with his family on the patio at home or other outdoor venue, catching up over a beer and a cigar and sharing his deeply held views on the issues of the day. We know we will see him again on a deck overlooking a beautiful lake...

Please join us in celebrating Bob's remarkable and memorable life at the WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME, 100 Center Avenue, Aspinwall, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob's name to either the National Parks Foundation or the American Diabetes Association.