Robert Riethmiller
1915 - 2013
Riethmiller was married to Doris Bauer Riethmiller, who was herself a member of the Auxiliary of Guyasuta Post 709 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They had two children, William and Roberta (Bobby).
BiographyRobert Riethmiller of O’Hara Township was a veteran of WWII who served in the South Pacific with the 111th Infantry. Riethmiller was a life member and former commander of Guyasuta Post 709 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Sharpsburg, Pa. from c1969. He decades of his life volunteering for multiple Veterans’ organizations, hospitals and nursing homes, where he visited veterans in care and oversaw outings and activities for long-term patients. Most notably, he helped lobby for the establishment of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Veteran’s Care Center and the VA Aspinwall site which became the H.J. Heinz Progressive Care Center. Riethmiller was also part of the “Military Order of the Cootie,” (a VFW auxiliary for members involved with veterans hospitals) and was therefore known as “Cootie Bob.” By his death, it is estimated that he had contributed between 45,000-50,000 hours of service; he is chronicled in many newspaper articles, in which he is depicted wearing his VFW and Cootie hats.
Riethmiller was married to Doris Bauer Riethmiller, who was herself a member of the Auxiliary of Guyasuta Post 709 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They had two children, William and Roberta (Bobby).
