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Robert Brickner

Robert “Bob” Louis Brickner, 70, of Alvada, passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 23, 2021, at Mercy Health-St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo.
Bob was born on Sept. 23, 1951, in Tiffin to the late James E. and Rosemary (Huffmon) Brickner of New Riegel. On June 26, 1976, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Theis at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Alvada, and she survives.
Also surviving are his daughter, Bethany (Patrick) Boehler and lights of his life, his two grandchildren, Kaylee Elizabeth Boehler and Logan Michael Boehler of Alvada. Additional survivors include his four sisters, Beth Ann Clark and Becky (David) Nye, both of Findlay, Bonnie (Hugh) Morrison of Bedford, Texas; and Brenda (Jay) Myers of Fostoria.
A 1969 graduate of New Riegel High School, Bob was involved in numerous activities including playing third base on the 1969 New Riegel High School state championship baseball team. He was honored along with his fellow teammates by the Ohio High School Athletic Association during the 2019 state baseball tournaments for the 50th anniversary of the team’s championship win.
Following graduation, Bob attended Bowling Green State University and earned a bachelor of science degree in education. He began his career as a social studies teacher at Old Fort High School where he also coached several sports including girls basketball. He was named District Coach of the Year for the 1978-1979 season. Bob received his master in administration from the University of Toledo and was later appointed principal of Old Fort High School. Following several years at Old Fort, he earned his specialist degree and became the superintendent of the New Riegel Local School District from 1987-1995. While at New Riegel, his office was located in the former elementary building. He was always involved with the students and loved everything from greeting them as they got off the bus in the morning to agreeing to milk a cow or kiss a pig in front of the elementary student body for right to read week. He also enjoyed attending the district’s numerous sporting events, music concerts and musical productions and was named to the PTO Hall of Fame for 1991-1992. In 1995, Bob accepted the superintendency of the Vanguard Sentinel Joint Vocational School District from which he retired in December 2002. He was a member of numerous educational organizations as well as United Way and the Tiffin Rotary and served as its president.
Even with his busy career, Bob never missed Bethany’s sporting events, dance recitals, band and choir concerts and musical productions. He was looking forward to doing the same with Kaylee and Logan.
Throughout the years and during his retirement, Bob enjoyed golfing, gardening, reading, working around the family farm, traveling with his family and spending time with his dogs, Trixie and Lady. He was always busy and looking for his next project. Fridays were always a special day as he and Mary Ellen would babysit Kaylee and Logan, with Bob telling stories, coloring and taking them on tractor rides to the woods to find dinosaurs and the dreaded swamp monster. He was a proud grandpa, ultimate dad and the most loving and caring spouse.
A lifelong member of All Saints Catholic Parish, New Riegel and Sts. Peter and Paul, Alvada, Bob enjoyed singing in the choir for approximately 40 years as well as serving in various other ministries and committees. Known for his friendliness, kindness and sense of humor, Bob brought joy and laughter to friends and strangers alike, especially his choir family. His final act of kindness was being an organ and tissue donor.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, at Hofmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home and Crematory, Tiffin.
His funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, at All Saints Catholic Church, New Riegel, with the Rev. Timothy Kummerer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Parish choir, the Robert L. Brickner Memorial Scholarship Fund for New Riegel Schools, All Saints Parish masses or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.

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