Robert Biehl

In Seneca County, Born October 20th 1917, Robert Harry Biehl arrived in Fostoria Ohio. He attended school in Akron (Henry), Fostoria and Ashland high schools. He appreciated the discipline from both schools that he attended from marching in the high school band and at the same time tooting his horn. In the late 1920's and early 30's he helped disseminate the news at Stag Corners (Market and Main streets). The Akron times and the Akron press sold at that time which merged into the Akron Times press and Akron Beacon Journal and Robert hustled the Cleveland news that came in from 6:30 in the evening till 9: 00 at night.

Akron was a very vibrant community with lots of entertainment. Went to the colonial theatre for Bonneville? You had the Dreamland theatre just north of Market and Main Street, where you could sometimes get a double feature for 10 cents. There was Tom Mets, Hoot Gibson and those who knew how to ride a horse. United Cigar in the southeast corner disseminated the news. The northeast corner Portage hotel was a hangout for the fighters with the likes of Gorilla Jones, K.O Christner, and those stopping through to make a dollar. On down north Main Street from the Portage hotel was the grand theatre which provided burlesque. I sold Eskimo pies there; I bought them for a nickel and sold them for 15 cents to a quarter. I made money. Let me say at this time, a dollar a day was a lot of money, if you made a dollar a day you were living high on the hog. Across the street from the theatre was metric markets where you could get a hot dog for 10 cents with diced onions and mustard and that was a good yummy, yummy believe me and my uncle Harmon Biehl had a restaurant (Medford) at the market.

Entertainment was also mixed in with AWE, the earthquake and thunder of the compressor gun whenever it was shot up Mill St. was at the Manor of Puffing Wheat at the time never got the answer to the question what it was, but it was something, it would shake the street. A lot of elderly would remember.

Robert was a high-rigger and electrician throughout his life. He was a member of electrician local union 306 for at this time 63 years. He rode freight trains carrying a little bag with a change of clothes traveling from city to city to work. He was a company Journeymen Wiremen. He traveled the country to help with high-rigging jobs. Montana was his favorite state, especially at night time because all of the stars were brilliantly vivid and a beautiful sight to see.

Robert served his country honorably and distinguished his instructors by obtaining a record score of 240 out of possible 256. He received an accommodation from the Depot, light machine gun shooting co 32rd battalion first replacement depot on May 15, 1945 for the highest recorded score from the Depot.

Robert's boat sits in his back yard now. It has been at least 15 years since he had it on the water. He enjoyed boating with his wife and puppy dog Oggie, along with fishing in the western part of Lake Erie.

Robert enjoyed his power motor boat and the excursions he took alone to Key West, the Bahamas and to Mississippi to New Orleans. He loved fishing!
"It was a wonderful life," said Robert, "and now that I am the twilight of my life all I want to say is 'adieu' okay!"

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Molly, brother Charles, and sister Ellen. He is survived by lifetime friend and angel Marybeth Whitmyer and his friend and caretaker Tina Dearing.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 31, at 11am in the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home,1930 Front St.,Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 44221. Friends may call one hour prior to the services. Private burial at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home and Crematory, 330-928-2147.

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