ROBERT J. IFFRIG
2/26/1947 – 11/16/2023
Robert (Bob) J. Iffrig, of West Chester, PA, died on November 16, 2023. He was 76 years young.
Robert was born in Philadelphia, PA, on February 26, 1947. He was the son of Phyllis E. (Dando) and George A. Iffrig. He was the 4th of 13 children.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, George and Phyllis Iffrig, and siblings Josephine M. Lewis (Barry), William A. Iffrig (Mary), Michael J Iffrig and Douglas C. Iffrig (Nancy). He is survived by siblings Phyllis (Jim) Bletz, George (Ruth) Iffrig, Frank Iffrig, David Iffrig, Susan Darnell, Paul (Natalie) Iffrig, Dorothy Walton, and Dawn (Jimmy) Marchini. Bob is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews, 22 great nieces and nephews, and 7 great-great nieces and nephews.
Bob was a focused and kind-hearted person, who was the “godfather of choice” for many of his siblings’ children. “Uncle Bob” enjoyed a unique relationship with all his nieces and nephews. Bob had close friendships with his siblings, in-laws, long-time neighbors, and former colleagues from LMC, where he worked for over 50 years.
Bob settled in for Army life from September,1966 to September, 1968. He was a Radio/Teletype Operator for 12 months in Viet Nam, for which service Bob was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Bob was an avid reader, Robert Ludlum, and James Patterson among his favorite authors. He also would have read anything written by David McCullough. Bob was a fan of mystery fiction, as well as history and biography.
There was not much that Bob enjoyed more than getting away for a weekend or a week camping in the forest. Things have changed from the younger days of pup tents and your sleeping bag on the ground to his last camping weekend this past July, 2023 with cots and air mattresses and a TV and DVD player to watch in the tent in case it rains. Regardless of the changing times, the feeling of freedom and relaxation that Bob enjoyed on those many trips over many years was always the same.
In retirement, Bob discovered “adult coloring.” He was proud of his pieces and would often include a quick picture of his most recent completed artwork in his emails for others to enjoy. Bob was an avid gardener, yielding some of the most beautiful Coleus plants. He seeded tomato plants each year that he would deliver. They made some wonderful sauces. Bob was also known for his beautiful Christmas lights for guests and neighbors to enjoy. Most of all, Bob enjoyed traveling in his car. He would take long vacations to visit family and friends. There are so many who will miss those visits.
Keeping with his kind-hearted self, Bob chose to donate his organs upon his death.
Following cremation, the family will attend a private gathering.
In the Spring, 2024, friends and family will be invited to a gathering to celebrate Bob’s friendships and his life.
