Robert James Riffel, 76, of Franklin Furnace, passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at his home. Robert was born April 26, 1945, in Burlington, IA to the late Ralph Riffel and Gertrude Brever Riffel.
He was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam War and retired as a B-52 Pilot. He was employed by the Bureau of Aeronautics and worked doing airport inspections and safety briefings for pilots. Robert had a BA in Fish & Wildlife and loved to fish and hunt and being outdoors. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the B-52 Association.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kara. Robert is survived by his wife, Vivian Jean Maggard Riffel, whom he married on January 14, 2006, in Ironton, OH. He is also survived by two daughters, Kristen (Rick) Erwin and Jamie (Jerry) Gray; a sister, Jeanne Vaver; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Services for Robert will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 25, 2021, at St. John Lutheran Church with Rev. Brent Cavendish officiating. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery. The family will receive friends, 5:00-8:00 pm Friday, September 24, 2021 at Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg and at the church one hour before the 11:00 am service on Saturday. Condolences to the family may be made at www.harrison-pyles.com.