Robert W. Steinmetz

Robert Walter Steinmetz, 90 years old, of Reading, PA. passed away on January 11, 2024. Born in Palmerton, PA, Robert was a long-time educator, negotiator and basketball official in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Robert was the son of Walter Steinmetz and Laura (Person) Steinmetz. He is survived by his three children, Robert K. Steinmetz of Hilton Head, SC; Gretchen L. (Richard) Keith, Wyomissing, PA; Matthew M. (Susan Jones) Steinmetz, Oakland, CA; grandchildren Robert (Courtney) Keith; Lauren (Nathan) Thomas; Daniel Steinmetz; Mark (Caitlin Bevvino-Ring) Keith; Andrew Steinmetz; Maura (Christopher Gutierrez) Keith; Josie Clark-Steinmetz; Grace Steinmetz; Mary Paige Steinmetz; great-grandchildren Dalton, Saja, Macy, Fiadh, Remi; three sisters, HR Rev. Doris (Marvin) Bray of Downingtown, PA, Diane (Bruce) Gerlach of Lancaster, PA, and Peggy (Roger) Shaffer of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by the mother of his children Mary L Attili of Reading, PA. Robert was predeceased by his younger brother Terry (Polly Ann) Steinmetz also of Palmerton, PA.

Upon graduating from Palmerton HS, Robert enlisted in the US Navy where he served on the USS Tripoli until 1954. He then attended and graduated from Kutztown University in1958 where he was a four-year letterman on the men's basketball team.

After graduation, Robert taught English at Muhlenberg High School in Reading, PA.for three decades. While at Muhlenberg, he also chaired the school's English department and was president of the Muhlenberg teacher's union and served as chief negotiator and mediator during contract discussions.

Robert is believed to have negotiated one of the first teacher's union contracts in the country in the 1970's.

Robert coached the Muhlenberg Muhls varsity basketball team in the 1960's before becoming a fixture in Berks County as a basketball referee. After Robert's retirement from teaching, he became the general manager of the Reading Orthodontic Group in Wyomissing, PA.

Over time, Robert not only established himself as one of the best basketball officials in Berks County, but also in Eastern PA and all of the Northeast.

Robert officiated games of all types: girls high school basketball, boys high school basketball, college basketball, recreation leagues, pretty much any place that had a court and couple of hoops. Robert was the long-time president of the Berks County Basketball Officials Association and also served as president of the College Basketball Officials Association.

A Celebration of Robert's Life and time of sharing will be held at the Theo C Auman Funeral home 247 Penn St. in Reading at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 17, 2024.