Robert Nissel

Silver Lake- Robert Edward Nissel, passed away September 23, 2014. He was born in Akron Ohio in 1927 and resided in the home that he designed and built for his family in Silver Lake.
He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in September 1946 and was stationed with the Army of Occupation in Japan where he flew air-sea rescue missions until his discharge from the US Air Force in September 1949. Upon his return he earned a degree in structural engineering and was employed by Goodyear Aerospace for 38 years where he met his wife Lila. One of his proudest accomplishments was his contributions to the US Space Program. He designs were employed with the first lunar landing missions and he was awarded the Apollo 11 Medallion.
He was a co-founder of the original Silver Lake Youth Baseball program, involved with the Silver Lake Boy Scouts and Cuyahoga Falls Breakfast Optimist Club and an active member for 57 years of the First United Methodist Church of Akron. One of his greatest passions was aviation which he shared with his brothers and his uncle Jerome. He restored several airplanes, including a Cessna 185, that he enjoyed flying as a hobby. In recognition of his contributions to our nation's aviation and space explorations heritage his name has been added to the Wall of Honor at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazv Center. He loved working with his hands and built boats, soapbox derby cars and homes. He leaves to his family one unfinished kit car.
Preceded in death by parents, Norbert and Elsie; brother, Gerald. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lila (Boring) Nissel. son, Kurt and grandson Joshua Van Horn-Nissel and his mother Marcia Van Horn; son, Douglas and grandson James (Tara) and great-granddaughters Sophia and Aria; daughter, Lynn (Fritz) Bernatz and granddaughters Claire and Emma; his brother, Arch Nissel of Roanoke, West Virginia; sister, Joan Nissel Slater of Sagamore Hills; brother, Floyd (Pat) Nissel of Green and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial calling will be held at The First United Methodist Church of Akron, 263 East Mill Street, Sunday September 28, 2014 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Monday September 29 at the Church. Inurnment will follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman at 1:30pm. In lieu of other remembrances memorials may be made to Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. Honor Flight Attn: Diane Gresse 300 E Auburn Ave, Springfield, OH 45505. or www.honorflight.org . Services entrusted to Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 330-928-2147.

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