Obituaries
Robert J. Dilger
July 20, 2024
![Robert J. Dilger](pics/Robert-J-Dilger.jpg)
Robert J Dilger, age 76, of Norwalk, passed away Saturday morning, July 20, 2024, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center.
He was born December 25, 1947, in Detroit, MI to George and Lilian Dilger. Bob graduated from St. Paul High School in 1965. He served in the US Army, stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Bob was referred to as an icon and a legend in the construction industry by his co-workers with 55 years of experience. Known as Bobby D at work, he started his career with Ronnie Rospert before working for Hug, Inc. and then Oglesby Construction. Bob spent the last 24 years working for Smith Paving, most recently as a project manager. He loved his work and the people he worked with.
Bob was an avid Indians fan, volunteered at Norwalk Area Contractors Park maintaining the grounds, enjoyed travel to their Naples home with his wife, family and friends. He enjoyed years of Flyer sports with his children and loved all the wrestling memories of travel to tournaments and State with the wrestling families and fans. Bob was always up for a good game of cards and was a great euchre partner. During his younger years, he played softball with friends for the Huffers and Puffers and he looked forward to his annual shift each St. Patrick’s Day with the Schaffers at the Shamrock when it was still in Norwalk. Fondly called, Papa, by his 10 grandchildren, he was a proud grandpa and loved following their sports and activities.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy (Wechter) Dilger, daughters, Tonia (Joe) Maxwell, and Julie (Don) Didion. Sons, Derek (Kim) Dilger and Rob Dilger. His 10 grandchildren, Tyler (Nicole) Dilger, Grant Dilger, Donny Didion, Colten Didion, Kurt Maxwell, Meredith Dilger, Kamryn Maxwell, Kaden Maxwell, Kole Maxwell and Aubrey Dilger. Bob is also survived by his father, Leo Smith, sisters, Patty (Jack) O’Neil, Jeanette Mack, Camilla George, Catherine Schriner, and Carolyn Dilger and brothers, David (Marla) Smith, Joe Smith and Greg (Amy) Smith, Thomas Durliat, and Chuck Dilger. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Smith, birth parents George and Lilian Dilger, and brothers, Bill Dilger and Jim Dilger.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A luncheon will follow in the Gathering Space. Private burial will be at St. Paul Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Norwalk Area Friends of Youth Sports, 20 Baneberry Lane, Norwalk, Ohio 44857.
Arrangements entrusted to the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk.
![](pics/Robert-J-Dilger.jpg)
Robert J. Dilger
July 20, 2024
Robert J Dilger, age 76, of Norwalk, passed away Saturday morning, July 20, 2024, at Fisher-Titus Medical Center.
He was born December 25, 1947, in Detroit, MI to George and Lilian Dilger. Bob graduated from St. Paul High School in 1965. He served in the US Army, stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Bob was referred to as an icon and a legend in the construction industry by his co-workers with 55 years of experience. Known as Bobby D at work, he started his career with Ronnie Rospert before working for Hug, Inc. and then Oglesby Construction. Bob spent the last 24 years working for Smith Paving, most recently as a project manager. He loved his work and the people he worked with.
Bob was an avid Indians fan, volunteered at Norwalk Area Contractors Park maintaining the grounds, enjoyed travel to their Naples home with his wife, family and friends. He enjoyed years of Flyer sports with his children and loved all the wrestling memories of travel to tournaments and State with the wrestling families and fans. Bob was always up for a good game of cards and was a great euchre partner. During his younger years, he played softball with friends for the Huffers and Puffers and he looked forward to his annual shift each St. Patrick’s Day with the Schaffers at the Shamrock when it was still in Norwalk. Fondly called, Papa, by his 10 grandchildren, he was a proud grandpa and loved following their sports and activities.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy (Wechter) Dilger, daughters, Tonia (Joe) Maxwell, and Julie (Don) Didion. Sons, Derek (Kim) Dilger and Rob Dilger. His 10 grandchildren, Tyler (Nicole) Dilger, Grant Dilger, Donny Didion, Colten Didion, Kurt Maxwell, Meredith Dilger, Kamryn Maxwell, Kaden Maxwell, Kole Maxwell and Aubrey Dilger. Bob is also survived by his father, Leo Smith, sisters, Patty (Jack) O’Neil, Jeanette Mack, Camilla George, Catherine Schriner, and Carolyn Dilger and brothers, David (Marla) Smith, Joe Smith and Greg (Amy) Smith, Thomas Durliat, and Chuck Dilger. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Smith, birth parents George and Lilian Dilger, and brothers, Bill Dilger and Jim Dilger.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A luncheon will follow in the Gathering Space. Private burial will be at St. Paul Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Norwalk Area Friends of Youth Sports, 20 Baneberry Lane, Norwalk, Ohio 44857.
Arrangements entrusted to the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk.