Robert L. Liechty

Robert Lee Liechty, age 97, died peacefully on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Swiss Village. He was born February 15, 1926, in Berne, Indiana to Oswald and Lillian (Burke) Liechty.

Bob graduated from Berne-French High School in 1944 and soon enlisted into the US Army. He served as a non-combatant medic in WWII, initially in the Pacific Theatre and following the armistice, in northern Japan. His experience of war was pivotal in his life and after a period of searching, eventually led him to a deep commitment to peace. Bob dedicated the remainder of his life to understanding and living out Jesus’ gospel of peace in accordance with the teachings of his Mennonite faith.

Upon returning home in 1946, Bob began working for the family business, Liechty Brothers Plumbing and Heating, established in 1918 by his father Oswald, and Uncles Hiram and Elmer.  In 1959, he and his brother Lynn purchased the business from the older generation, becoming the second generation of Liechty Brothers and beginning a long and productive career as business owners. They transitioned the firm from doing mainly residential work to handling large commercial and industrial jobs, such as hospitals, schools, and projects such as Swiss Village. In 1984 Bob and Lynn retired and sold the business, which still survives today.

At the age of 34, Bob met Miriam (nee Kuhns) Zehr. Miriam’s husband had died 4 years earlier, leaving her with four young children. Bob fell in love with Miriam and her children.  Bob and Miriam were married on February 9, 1961. Bob adopted the children, ages 3 through 8, and within 3 years, two more children were born to the family. Bob and Miriam were married for nearly 60 years. During retirement, they traveled extensively, both within the US and internationally.  They spent many winters in their motorhome, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in FL and TX.

Bob was an avid reader and deep thinker, a contemplative at heart. He was a good listener, respectful and open to the opinions of others, and careful when choosing his own words. Bob was a patient, kind, and gentle soul. He was full of gratitude and appreciation in daily life, taking great pleasure in music, nature, and simple routines. He took a genuine interest in others, often drawing out life stories from strangers. Bob was deeply devoted to his family, full of wisdom, acceptance, prayer, and good humor.

Both Bob and Miriam were lifelong, active members of the First Mennonite Church in Berne. Bob sang in the Men’s Chorus and Chancel Choir. He was a long-time boys Sunday School teacher and was involved in the establishment of Fellowship Point as a place for the youth of the church. As a young adult, Bob spent several months in voluntary service on a Navajo Reservation in Arizona and in Cachipay, Columbia. Throughout his life, he was an active member of Camp Friedenswald Builders and volunteered there often. He served on the Peace and Service Committee of the Central District Conference of the Mennonite Church and was a strong supporter of the global Mennonite Church.

Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife Miriam, brother Lynn, and parents Oswald and Lillian. He is survived by brother Carl (Sandra); his 6 children and their spouses, Edward (Mary Purves) and Daniel (Naomi Wilansky) Liechty, Mary (Peter) Graber, Martha (Paul) Conrad, Margaret (Phillip) Sprunger, and Janet Liechty (Philip) Martens; 13 grandchildren, Gretchen, Karl, Addie (Ed), Hana (Dan), Emily, Nathan, Naomi (Mary), Jesse, Caitlin (Martha), Conrad, Carsten (Margaret), RL, Rex (Janet); and 11 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 2023, at First Mennonite Church in Berne, Indiana. The service will be live-streamed and can be accessed by the following link www.firstmennonite.org. Burial will follow at M.R.E. Cemetery in Berne, Indiana.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Camp Friedenswald or the Swiss Village Samaritan Fund.

The family wishes to thank the entire Swiss Village Community, but especially the staff of Blumengarten and Sonnenblum, for their supportive and expert care.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel of Berne, Indiana