After graduating from Monongahela High School in 1939, he married Virginia Kerr in 1940 in Pittsburgh. In 1942, Bob completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now known as Carnegie Mellon University). He attended Officer Candidate School in April 1943. He was stationed in Europe in the Signal Corps attached to Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). In the Battle of Normandy, he helped establish effective communications between aircraft and tanks.
Army Capt. Robert Staib was assigned to the 926th Signal Battalion and the Tactical Air Command. He served in Normandy, Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern Europe, and Rhineland, and was wounded in action in Belgium on December 28, 1944. Bob was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, a Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle Eastern with six service stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal. On July 14, 2014, for his service to help liberate France during WWII, Staib was awarded the Legion D’Honneur, the highest decoration in France.
A kind, gentle, modest man, Bob rarely spoke about his war experiences. Over time, the family learned that while in Germany, he helped to liberate Buchenwald concentration camp. Bob was proud to have helped one Polish captive, known as “Buchenwald Benny,” by having him assist Army personnel and ultimately arranged for him to come to the United States.
Upon returning from the war in 1946, Bob joined the construction department at Ohio Edison. His Signal Corps experience was leveraged by Ohio Edison to radio equip all of their vehicles. As he advanced, he was assigned construction projects to build new, ever-larger power plants throughout Ohio. Although an electrical engineer, he was well known for his expertise with concrete. Bob managed the construction of four, 700-foot single concrete pour smokestacks at the W. H.. Sammis power plant in Stratton, Ohio. He was promoted to head the corporate construction department and moved to Akron, Ohio, until his retirement in 1983. Robert and Virginia traveled extensively in their motorhome to the western US, Alaska, Mexico, and Central America. Robert was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church, an Army Reservist until 1952, and a member of the Scottish Rite order of the Masonic Lodge in Steubenville, Ohio, having joined in 1954.
After retirement, they moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, to be near their children and grandchildren. They also bought a winter home in Lake Wales, Florida. Robert and Virginia divided their time between Iowa and Florida until Virginia’s health no longer permitted travel. While in Florida, Bob and Virginia were regular fixtures at the Disney resorts. They attended a park almost daily and saw shows so many times that the hosts often reserved a spot for Virginia’s wheelchair. Virginia passed away on November 3, 1998.
In 1999, Robert reconnected with his high school sweetheart Anna (Stahl) Miller. They spent 13 years together moving between Iowa, Pennsylvania, and his vacation residence in Florida. Bob and Anna enjoyed visits from their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and were fervent card players, especially Skipbo. Anna passed away on December 10, 2012.
Robert Staib is survived by his son, Robert (Virginia) Staib Jr., Lake Wales, FL and daughter Carol Sue Staib, Bettendorf, IA; grandsons William (Jennifer) Staib, Coralville, IA and James (Ellen) Staib, St. Louis Park, MN; and great-grandchildren, Matt (Sizi) Staib, Catherine Staib, Becca Staib, Cassie Staib, Anna Staib, Will Staib and Alex Staib. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia Staib, and his partner Anna Miller. Services will be held at Runge Funeral Home on November 15, 2019, Davenport, Iowa, with visitation scheduled for 10 am to noon with services following. Robert will be buried with military graveside rites at 1 pm on November 15, 2019, at the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to King’s Harvest Pet Rescue Memorial.
