Robert L. Liechty

Robert Lee Liechty, 97, died peacefully Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Swiss Village in Berne. He was born Feb. 15, 1926, in Berne to Oswald and Lillian (Burke) Liechty.
He graduated from Berne-French High School in 1944 and soon enlisted into the U.S. Army. He served as a noncombatant medic in World War II, 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. He 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, he 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, he and Lynn retired and sold the business, which still survives today.
At the age of 34, he met Miriam (Kuhns) Zehr. Her husband had died four years earlier, leaving her with four young children. He fell in love with her and her children. They were married Feb. 9, 1961, and he adopted the children, ages three through eight, and within three years, two more children were born into the family. They were married for nearly 60 years. During retirement, they traveled extensively, both within the U.S. and internationally. They spent many winters in their motor home, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Florida and Texas.
He 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. He 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. He was deeply devoted to his family and full of wisdom, acceptance, prayer and good humor.
They were both lifelong, active members of the First Mennonite Church in Berne. He sang in the Men’s Chorus and Chancel Choir. He was a longtime 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, he spent several months in voluntary service on a Navajo Reservation in Arizona and Cachipay, Colombia. 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.
He is survived by brother Carl (Sandra) Liechty; six children and their spouses, Edward (Mary Purves) Liechty; 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 and Rex (Janet); and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife; and brother, Lynn Liechty.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the 2 p.m. funeral service Saturday, Aug. 12 at First Mennonite Church in Berne. Burial will be at MRE Cemetery in Berne.
Memorials may be made 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 provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes, Yager-Kirchhofer Chapel in Berne. To sign the online guest book, visit www.zwickjahn.com.