Robert A. Weitzel

ROBERT A WEITZEL was born in Akron Ohio on July 10th 1935 to Christine and Casper Weitzel and went to be with the Lord on March 10, 2022. Bob is survived by his loving wife Jean whom he married in 1981. Bob lived in the Cleveland area and he and Jean met on a blind date in Chicago where she lived. He is also survived by his daughter, Susan (Steve) St. John, stepdaughter Carol (Phil) Soos, granddaughter Jennifer Soos and stepdaughter Lynnette (Rich) Stuart, granddaughter Lindsey & grandson Ryan Stuart. Also his sister Christine Blaurock, nephews Kenny Weitzel (friend Mary), Randy (Elaine) Weitzel, Kurt Blaurock and nieces Laura (Richard) Wagner, and Cheri Rollence. Also Jean’s brother Edward (Kathy) Fenrich, their three children and seven great nieces & nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his brothers Henry and Karl.

Bob served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957-1961 monitoring high technology communications within the Eastern Bloc communist countries at the time. This required the highest security clearances available. His duty stations included St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, and Kirk Newton Scotland. He went on to complete his MBA from Lehigh University in 1970.

Bob served as a past member of the Board of Trustees for the Cleveland National Air Show, a council member of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a member of the International Security Management Association, served the Village of Gates Mills as Chairman of the Oversight Committee, member of the Wage & Benefits Committee, member of the Emergency Planning Committee, and Assistant Treasurer.

He was the Vice President of Operations for ITT Service Industries until 1978 when he started his own

Company, headquartered in Cleveland, International Total Services, Inc. (ITS), and providing contract services at airports (wheelchair pushers, baggage handlers, interior cleaning of aircraft and ticket agents) and at other venues requiring security services across the US and internationally. He grew his Company to over 2,000 employees until his retirement in 2000. Bob was awarded Cleveland’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 1992.

He came out of retirement in 2001 and became a consultant/investor to Flight Services & Systems (FSS), which provided the same services as his previous company, ITS. Bob’s position in the company grew and he became the owner, holding the positions of Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer. He grew this company to over 800 employees within the US.

Bob had interesting hobbies over the years. He became an instrument rated, pilot flying his own twin engine airplane. He took great joy in flying his family to vacation destinations, including the US Virgin Islands. He also became a skilled horseman, at one time owning 3 hunt horses. He belonged to the Chagrin Valley Fox Hunt and often hunted several days a week in Middlefield, OH. He also hunted Stagg in England. He was a past member of the Chagrin Valley Trails and Riding Club. Bob so enjoyed the swans he raised and he became very knowledgeable as a licensed apiarists raising bees.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be given to Fieldstone Farm, Therapeutic Riding Center, 16497 Snyder Rd., Chagrin Falls, OH. 44023.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather for Funeral Services 10:00 am Thursday March 17 at St. Christopher's by the River, 7601 Old Mill Rd., Gates Mills, OH 44040. Interment Gates Mills South Cemetery. Online condolences www.diciccoandsonsfh.com