Sichel, Robert “Bob”
1932 - 2021
Robert “Bob” Sichel, 88, of Howard, Ohio (Apple Valley), was received into heaven on September 21, 2021 after passing away peacefully at Johnstown Pointe Nursing Home. Bob was the eldest
child of five born to Frank
and Margaret Sichel of New
York City, NY (brothers Richard, Martin, and John, and sister Janet) on November 25, 1932, growing up in Briarcliff Manor, NY, playing baseball, caddying from a young age, and playing the violin. But it was years later while attending Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI, that Bob truly found his wings –
entering the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet Program and in finding his true love and
greatest friend in Johanna “Joan” Sichel (Kingstrom)
of nearby Lake Linden,
Michigan in 1952. As a career Airman in the United
State Air Force, Bob started
his air career in 1953. As a pilot, he trained in and piloted over a dozen different aircraft – among them
the KC-135 refueling jet
and the O-1 and O-2 as a
Forward Air Controller while
serving in Vietnam. Bob served honorably and with distinction, retiring with
the rank of Major in 1973.
He met his wife Joan on a blind date in 1952 and the two were married July 3, 1954 in Dearborn, Michigan. They moved about the country on a serviceman’s tour that included
California, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, New York, and Ohio. In their years in Columbus, Bob and Joan were parishioners at St Philip the
Apostle Church where Bob
frequently served as lector and Eucharistic minister. Bob also volunteered at St. Philip and Bishop Hartley schools’ bingo nights, where he will forever be memorialized as “Bingo
Bob.” Seeking a retreat
for retirement where they could spend their golden years together, Bob and Joan bought property in Apple Valley and settled
there. Perhaps not finding
anything suitable to his tastes, Bob resolved to “do it himself” (with the aid of a
few friends), and he did just
that. Their home was the site of family occasions and celebrations too numerous
to count – making memories aplenty for his children
and grandchildren alike. A
labor of love if there ever was one. As a resident of Apple Valley, he served his community as AVPOA Board President for many, many
years. He took great pride
in serving the community in any way possible, including
as manager. Continuing to
serve his faith community,
Bob was active at St Luke’s Church in Danville and as
a member of the Knights
of Columbus. Bob was the
father to nine children and grandfather to 20 grandchildren and two great grandchildren -- all of whom came to call him “Poppop.” He will always hold a place in the hearts and minds of his family whom he loved dearly and reveled in. He is preceded in death by his wife Joan, son Andrew, brother John, sister Janet Galluzzo, daughter-in-law Jennifer Sichel and his parents Frank and Margaret. He is survived and will be fondly remembered by brother Richard and Martin (Laura), and children, Todd (Bonnie), Margot (Brad)
Ranney, Brian (Cathy), Beth
Woodman, Marie (Matt)
Caputo, Martin (Angie),
John (Diane) and Joanne (Kyle) Kirves. He is also survived by grandchildren, Travis, Erin (Jon), Jacimar, Lilianna, Rachel (Tyler), Anthony, Georgianna, Thomas, Grant, Maggie
(Nick), Jaret, Derek (Irene) Adam, John Jr. “Jack”, Emily, Nicole, Benjamin,
Megan, Nathaniel, and Nora. He was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Michael.
Calling hours will be Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 2pm to 6pm with a prayer service at 5:30pm at
Schoedinger Funeral Home,
1051 E. Johnstown Rd. The
Mass of Christian burial
will be on Monday, Sep
tember 27, at 10am at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 1573 Elaine Rd. Burial will
be immediately following
mass at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,
contributions can be made
to the Prostate Cancer Prevention and Therapy Fund at the OSU James Cancer
Hospital. Gifts can be made online at go.osu.edu/
Robertsichel or by check
mailed to The James at PO
Box 183112, Columbus, OH
43218-3112, St. Philip the
Apostle Catholic Church, Columbus, OH or St. Luke Catholic Church, Danville,
OH.