Robert Albert Kiefer

“Bob” Kiefer was raised during the Great Depression in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The second of four children, Bob went to work at a young age to help sustain his family during the lean Depression years. At age 17, Bob enlisted in the US Navy to join in the fight of World War II. Although he never saw combat duty before the end of the war in 1945, Bob was stationed in the Pacific theater in the Philippine Islands as a Navy Seabee. The most cherished memories of his life were of those experiences during his time in the Navy. He would recreate those moments time after time through his life to friends as well as strangers.

Bob returned to the US after his enlistment and attended Moravian College in Bethlehem while he worked as a machinist. He was employed by the Bethlehem Steel Company and initially worked in the beam yard. Bob never graduated from Moravian College but remained with the Bethlehem Steel Company after marrying Vernamae Compton and became bricklayer’s apprentice and soon became a full class bricklayer working in the open hearth furnaces used in steel production. He later became a vocational teacher in Bethlehem, teaching masonry, and wood shop. After receiving his Master’s Equivalency degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Bob taught bricklaying and concrete masonry at Upper Bucks Vo-Tech in Pennsylvania. Bob taught summer classes in masonry to prisoners from Graterford Prison, constructed small masonry projects for the City of Bethlehem, and contracted small masonry projects during his summer “breaks” in teaching. He was an active member of the Bethlehem Kiwanis during his time as a vocational teacher.

Bob lost his beloved wife, Vernamae, in May of 1989 but lived a fulfilling retirement as a substitute teacher and continued to work as a brick mason on smaller projects until the late 1990’s when he moved from Bethlehem to Port St. Lucie, Florida. He later moved to the WhiteStone retirement community in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he spent his final years.

In his senior years Bob was active in the Bethlehem Masonic Lodge #283, becoming Worshipful Master of the lodge in 1990. He loved serving weddings parties at the lodge. He became a skilled woodcarver and was active in senior musical presentations in Port St. Lucie. He loved to entertain with both his memorable Navy stories and singing prowess.

Bob has one surviving sister, ‘Dolly’ Drebert, two surviving children, Suzanne Helen Kiefer of Wirtz, Virginia, and Mark Andrew Kiefer (and wife Janet Glass Kiefer) of Raleigh, North Carolina. He has two surviving granddaughters, Joanne Jean Glass Kiefer and Lauren Vee Kiefer.

Bob Kiefer was a “die hard” fisherman. From fly fishing to surf fishing, he loved it all. He instilled a work ethic in both his children that would lead them onto success in their own businesses. He was proud of their achievements. Bob was always helping others in times of need. He lived life to its fullest in everything he did. His life was good.