Robert Lawrence Giffer

Robert Lawrence Giffer, 89, of Perrysburg, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Swanton Health Care. He was born March 5, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan to John and Mary Giffer, and spent much time with his favorite uncle and aunt, Vern and Helen Cook. On September 11, 1954 he would marry Evelyn M. (Roman) Giffer for 66 years. A close friend once said “I wouldn’t be able to joke about Giffer if he wasn’t able to joke about himself. But he can, thanks to the enormous size of his heart. He’s been unselfish with his time as he’s been with his experience. There’s no way to count the number of young people who’ve passed through Giffer’s tutelage”. He proudly served in the US Naval reserve and received the National Defense Service Medal in addition to being honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps in November, 1949 and from the US Navy in September, 1954 (Seaman USNR-R). In addition to his military service, Robert also received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his life including those from the CDC, Cannes Film Festival, Business Against Drunk Driving, and many more. He is well known for his involvement with the local V.A., where he would collect clothes for veterans in need of assistance as well as being asked by Bette Midler to join and assist with the New York Restoration Project and the AIDS Resource Center. Robert is survived by his loving wife Evelyn; children Cynthia Giffer, Robert (Kate) Giffer Jr., and Beth Ann Nissen; grandchildren Keegan and Colton (Caitlin) Nissen; great-granddaughter Ellie Nissen; siblings Joyce Doyle, Sally Ballelli, and Patrick Giffer; cousin Carol Symmonds; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother John Giffer Jr, and son-in-law Phil. Visitation for Robert will be held Monday, November 9, 2020 from 10 AM- 12 PM at Witzler-Shank Walker Funeral Home, Perrysburg. A memorial service will be held at 12 PM at the funeral home, with burial following immediately at Resurrection Cemetery, where military honors will be held. The family of Robert would like to thank Lisa Mitchell and her staff at Swanton HealthCare for their compassionate care and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for everything they’ve done. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Northwest Ohio (30000 E. River Road, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551).