Robert T. Riegler

West Branch - Robert T. Riegler, 93, of State Rt. 26, husband of Sophia, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2011, at Rome Memorial Hospital, after a brief illness. He was born in Rome, on November 24, 1917, a son of Philip and Elizabeth A. Thron Riegler. Mr. Riegler grew up in Rome, receiving his education at Rome Free Academy. On May 8, 1941, Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army serving in the European Theater of W.W. II, until his honorable discharge on October 16, 1945. Pfc. Riegler, served in Company H 422 Infantry regiment of the 106th "Lion" Division . This division made a heroic stand against Nazi forces in the Ardennes, in December, 1944. The 422 and 423 regiments fought against a full force attack of the Nazi Panzer and SS, preventing the German juggernaut from fully invading the Bulge, which would have resulted in a decisive Nazi victory. He was awarded a bronze star for participation in the northern France Campaigne. Pfc Riegler also participated in battles in Southern France, and the Rhineland, earning a bronze star. His other citations for his service were the Middle Eastern Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. Following the war, Mr. Riegler returned to Rome, where he was employed for 40 years as a machinist at Rome Manufacturing Co. in the cooking ware department. On May 26, 1951, Robert was united in marriage with Sophia A. Kaido at St. Mary's Church, West Leyden. After that the couple lived in West Leyden, before they constructed their current home near West Branch in 1956. Robert greatly enjoyed traveling; for many years during his vacation he loved to take his family on tours of the United States, eventually traveling to 45 states. He loved fishing, trapping, organic gardening, bird watching and spending time at this camp at Swancott Mills. He was an avid Syracuse Orange Fan, who closely followed the football and basketball teams. For many years he greatly enjoyed attending S.U. football games with his family at the old Archbold Stadium, at Syracuse University. He was a member of St. Mary's Nativity Church, West Leyden, Charles J. Love American Legion Post # 406, and Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW # 5538, both of Boonville, and he was one of the charter members of the Point Rock Fish & Game Club in 1946. In addition to his wife, Sophia, he is survived by three daughters and two sons in law, Karen Williamson and Charles, West Leyden, Kathy Thomann and David, Rome, and Joan Colangelo, Rome; two grandchildren, Todd Williamson, West Leyden, Jill Ross and Dante, one great grandchild, Olivia Ross, all of Greensburg, PA; and one sister, Lois DePasquale, Auburn. He was predeceased by five sisters: Ernestine Cole, Mabel McBurney, Luella Zike, Elizabeth Pritchard, Shirley Scherz, four brothers: Frederick, Franklin, Phillip, George, and a son- in- law, James Colangelo. His funeral will be Monday at 12:30 P.M. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, and at 1:30 P.M. at St. Mary's Church, West Leyden, where Rev. Lawrence Marullo, pastor will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, West Leyden, where members of Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W. and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville will conduct military rites. Calling hours are Sunday 2-5 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Cemetery Association, West Leyden, NY 13489.