Robert Reilly "Bob" Witt, Jr., of Miami, Florida, passed away from a battle with cancer on August 25, 2020 at age 64. Bob was a loving and devoted husband and father, and was known for being an avid fan of Neil Young, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Cleveland Indians. Bob is survived by his wife Christine Louise Witt (ne Stromberg), his son John-Paul Reilly Witt & daughter-in-law Chelsea Ann Witt (ne Atkins), and his sisters Barbara Cicerchi (Richard), Peggy Stuart (Richard), Carol Wilms (Terry), and Cathy Witt (Joe Skerl), his sister-in-law Aggie Mahoney (Brian, deceased), nephew Sean Mahoney, friend Shaul Apelker, and many more devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Reilly Witt, Sr., and Jane Elizabeth Sattler, his brother James Patrick Witt, his paternal grandparents Edward Francis Witt and Katherine Lucina Reilly, and his maternal grandparents Florian Adam Sattler and Mary Cecelia Mathews. Bob was born in 1956 in Akron, Ohio, but spent his youth in Fairview Park and Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a proud 1974 alumnus of St. Edward High School. His classmates recall him as a devoted and selfless friend who was dedicated to the school and sports. He later matriculated to Ohio State University, studying political science. Bob met the love of his life, Christine, while working at Halle's Department Store in Rocky River, Ohio, at age 18; they were known as the "Halle's couple." After Chris' family moved to New Jersey, Bob would hitchhike to see her until they were married in 1980. Bob & Chris were together for 46 years and celebrated 40 years of marriage on March 15, 2020. After college, they moved to Destin, and then Miami, Florida, where they celebrated the birth of their son John-Paul in 1987. Being a devoted father, from making lunches to always taking his son to school and picking him up, was the most important thing in Bob's life. He also rejoiced at his son's marriage to Chelsea in 2016 and grew close to his new daughter. Bob invested many years into connecting with Marines who served in Delta Co., 1st Bat., 7th Marines, the unit where his brother Jimmy was killed in action in 1969 in Vietnam. Helping to put together his brother's 50th anniversary memorial service at Fairview Park City Hall in 2019 was one of the highlights of Bob's life. Bob also volunteered at Jack D. Gordon elementary school in Miami, remembered by many students for teaching chess and coaching little-league baseball with the Optimist Club. He was a devoted member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Miami, teaching Confirmation classes to teens for many years and being an adorer of the Blessed Sacrament at 3AM on Tuesday mornings. Later in life, Bob was instrumental in the success of Chris' business, Just Mine Creations. Bob traveled to fairs and festivals selling jewelry throughout Florida as well as the Dublin, Ohio Irish Festival, and other festivals up and down the east coast of the United States. He is remembered by friends and customers for having a "heart bigger than his body." Bob touched many lives with his kindness and affection, helping friends and even people he just met for a moment feel appreciated and listened to. The gift of his loving companionship is something that his family and friends will always treasure. He taught his son to befriend and be kind to everyone, "from a pauper to the Pope." A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Miami, Florida, on September 19, 2020 at 11:30am, and a Memorial Mass will be held at 10am on March 13th, 2021, at St. Angela Merici Parish 20970 Lorain Rd. Fairview Park, Ohio. A scholarship fund at St. Edward High is being established in memory of Bob Witt '74 and Jim Witt '65. Gifts can be made online at sehs.net/memorialgiving or mailed to St. Edward High School, 13500 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107. Please send condolences to the Witt family at: [email protected]

Published in The Plain Dealer from Sep. 4 to Sep. 6, 2020.