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Robert Kriebel Obituary
Robert C. Kriebel died at 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, at Creasy Springs Health Campus in Lafayette after battling dementia. He was 81.
He was born Oct. 24, 1932, in Bedford to Ralph and Mary (Roberts) Kriebel.
He graduated from West Lafayette High School, where he scored a school record 1,151 points for the basketball team. He played basketball and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Tulane University in New Orleans.
He married Nancy Swenson, a classmate at Tulane, on March 4, 1957, in Port Arthur, Texas. She died on Jan. 14, 2014.
He served two years in counterintelligence with U.S. Army, starting in 1954. In 1956, he returned to Tippecanoe County to work for the Lafayette Leader, before starting at the Journal & Courier a year later. During his career at the newspaper, he was a reporter and editor before retiring in 1993. After retirement, he continued to write Old Lafayette, a weekly column about local history that appeared in the J&C for 34 years, until 2011.
He wrote 13 books, many on Greater Lafayette and Purdue University history, and was a frequent public speaker. In 1975, he was named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team. He was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame in 2006. He was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ.
He could build just about any sort of furniture. He was an Indiana University basketball and Detroit Tigers baseball fan. He knew how to set up a mean croquet course. Besides Nancy, the thing he loved most was being called on to be with or help his kids and grandchildren. And he did anything he could to help Nancy keep the gardens at their home along the Wildcat Creek in top shape for friends and family who came on Sundays for lunch and NFL football.
Surviving are children Robert S. (Sig) Kriebel of Brookston (wife, Mary); D. Carol Bangert of Lafayette (husband, Dave); Laura B. Fuller of Nazareth, Pa. (husband, Mark) and Thomas A. Kriebel of Lafayette (wife, Ann); a son-in-law, Alan Goodnight of Wichita, Kansas; and 12 grandchildren, Jarrett and Hannah Fuller; Joelle, Nathan, Liana and Sam Kriebel; Carmen, Ben and Jillian Kriebel; Olivia Bangert; and Cara and Chandler Goodnight. He was preceded in death by daughter Terry A. Goodnight.
Services are pending with Fisher Funeral Chapel in Lafayette. Memorials may be made in his name to the Tippecanoe County Historical Association.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Kriebel
Alice Anderson
October 4, 2014
My condolences to the Kriebel family at the passing of Bob...his writings have preserved Tippecanoe County history for future generations...praying for you at this time of loss...
Michael Erlenbach
October 4, 2014
Tom,
Sorry about your father's passing and not being able to attend Friday's remembrace. I have fond memories of your father speaking at class Purdue I took, not to mention all,the Jeff's event.
October 4, 2014
Sig,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lori Caldwell-Hopkins
Marge and Rick Knoth
October 3, 2014
Though I knew of Bob through the Journal where I sometimes wrote about the old days, I got to really know him at Creasy springs where I lead a "Do You Remember?" group and a Bible study, and Rick and I hold their Sunday church service. Bob was a faithful attender at them all, having a very tender heart,open to Jesus. We fell in love with him. We were so sorry to hear of his death, but we rejoiced that he is now pain-free and rejoicing with Jesus in his new home.
Gail Summers
October 1, 2014
Always loved to visit the Kriebel house...so much love, laughter, and fun happening at Rancho Tejas. My thoughts are with all of your family.
Joe Micon, LUM board and staff
September 30, 2014
With gratitude for Bob's many years as the Journal and Courier's Editorial Page Editor where he helped us to discern our community's current events. With deep respect for the passion Bob had for our community's rich history and for helping us all to feel better connected to it. With fondness at how Bob touched the future through his love of young people. Here's hoping that Bob's family and friends will be comforted by many fond memories during this time.
Paige Pfeifer
September 30, 2014
Thank you for preserving and sharing so many memories. We will all remember YOU, Bob!
Walt & Nancy Potter
September 30, 2014
I played basketball with Bob at WLHS. He was a standout then and the kind of man you knew would be throughout the rest of his life. Great memories.
Pat and phyllis Doran
September 30, 2014
our sympathy to all of you...Pat & Phyllis Doran and family..our fondest memories go to you...
Andrew Craw
September 30, 2014
So sorry about your about your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family ! Sincerely Andy Craw .
Marilyn Grenat
September 29, 2014
Prayers to the family of a fine man that blessed Lafayette with his writings and history! Special condolences to neihbors,and Bob's daughter, Carol (Dave) Bangert.
mardi may-mcgill
September 29, 2014
What a fine man! My childhood was so much better with Mr. Kriebel in it! God has a very special angel in heaven with him now. I'm sure he will be teaching all the young angels some special games to play!! He will be deeply missed. God bless the Kriebel kids, always remember he touched ALL the Warren Place kids in a very special way, he made us ALL feel special, even if we weren't very good at the games. Much love and prayers to you all.
Daughter-in-law of Vet
September 29, 2014
Thanks be to Mr. Kriebel for service to his country and helping to protect our freedom. Sincere sympathy to his family and friends. May your cherished memories bring comfort and allow him to remain with you always. Love never leaves. RIP, Robert
September 29, 2014
Our cousin Bob was older and certainly taller than we Grafton children; our mom, Mary Grafton, was named after our Great Aunt Mary, Bob's mother. Everyone in the family revered Bob and his gifts. When my mom send her three youngest off to Purdue from Popcorn, Indiana, Aunt Mary kept a watchful eye on us. We spent a lot of time with her as we adjusted to that bigger universe that was Purdue. Bob was her pride and joy and later, his growing family filled her heart and attention. Now it seems the world also knows his grand stature, not just as a son and father, but as a crafter of words. As a newspaper man, he was one of the gatekeepers of our republic and taught many others to do that job with integrity and attention to detail. He will be lovingly remembered by his family, friends and his fans.
The Cousins,
Margaret Grafton Ellison, Houston, TX
Sue Grafton Humphrey, Lafayette
Merrilou Grafton Luse, Scottsburg
Robert Owen Grafton, Hamilton, OH
Billi Jennings
September 29, 2014
My prayers are with the children of Bob and Nancy Kriebel. May you find peace in celebrating the many contributions of your parents. I loved knowing your Mother during her tenure at Jeff High School. May the peace of the Lord be with you all!
Kevin Cullen
September 29, 2014
Bob Kriebel was the managing editor when I started at the Journal and Courier in January 1977, and Angie Rizzo was city editor. No two people could have been more supportive and kind to a young reporter. Bob was quick to praise, slow to criticize, and always teaching. I learned so much from watching him, talking to him, and reading his writing. Lafayette has lost its best friend.
September 29, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the Kriebel kids. Sara (Wolsieffer) Sanders and Mark Sanders
September 29, 2014
Our prayers are with you--the Honegger Family
Marlene Bailey
September 29, 2014
Bob was such a wonderful person to work for - gentle with advice or correction encourage on a rough day and complimented his employees on their work. I loved working for him.... and other members of his family who have followed him at the Journal & Courier.
Linda Jeffries
September 29, 2014
Arliss and I send all our love, prayers, and hugs to the entire Kriebel family. We are blessed to have known Bob and will miss him a great deal. Thank you for sharing him with us. Linda and Arliss Jeffries
September 29, 2014
we have lost two community leaders this year. First Nancy whom I knew in DAR and Master Gardeners and now Bob, a journalistic giant. My own parents died within the same year. Difficult for the children perhaps but it is if the two lovers planned it this way with the mercy of God. Peace be with you. JoAn Messing
Jay Jackson
September 29, 2014
Bob lived around the corner from my family==and my sister Alice, was a classmate at WL.
Condolences from an old friend. Jay Jackson
Mike and Holly Hanley
September 29, 2014
Carol,Dave,and Olivia
Our thought and prayers are with you at this time.
Carol Norris Vincent
September 29, 2014
Bob and I shared a love for Lafayette history and worked together on several of his books. He was a good friend, a good man, loyal to his family and his community. We will all miss him.
September 29, 2014
As a long time member of this community, I know all our lives are richer for all the columns Bob researched and wrote on the history of Tippecanoe County.
As part of the JC group who worked under him, I am richer, learning from him about leadership that was wise and kind. Bob always had a smile and quick quip. My favorite has always been "sharp socks are essential," advice I have followed all my life. I'm serious!!!
God bless you Bob. Glad you are away from the torments of this life and with ones you love, Nancy and Terry.
Kathy Matter
Rita Owens
September 29, 2014
My sincere condolences to the Kriebel family.
Sherry Brown
September 29, 2014
I'm among the many present and former journalists who are heartbroken. Bob was my mentor through most of my life, and I will miss him dearly. I carry him with me, though, wherever I go.
Frank Keegan
September 28, 2014
He was an inspiration to hundreds of journalists. I learned so much from Bob that served me well over the decades as an editor.
Kim Rendfeld
September 28, 2014
My thoughts and prayers to the family. It was my privilege to edit his columns while I was at the J&C.
Jamie Guinnup Atari
September 28, 2014
IN MEMORY OF A WONDERUL DEAR NEIGHBOR AND LONGTIME FRIEND OF OURS.
"Jamie G"
Jamie Atari
September 28, 2014
Oh, this just makes me so sad..I am so sorry Kriebel family..I have been thinking alot about him lately as I drive by Creasy and wishing how I would go in there and see him..I regret it so. Love to all of you..In our prayers.
"Jamie G"..
Susanq Fisher
September 28, 2014
My sincere sympathies to the entire family on Bob's passing. He was such a terrific husband and father - and an inspiration to me as an aspiring journalist. Sending my thoughts and prayers.
Susan (Horswell) Fisher
Kim Mikels Wainscott
September 28, 2014
For my friend Bob, you will be missed. Rest sweetly dear friend.
Kris Webster(Jones)
September 28, 2014
So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Kriebel. Our families were close growing up & I admired him as a role model just like my father. Many prayers to him & his family.
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