Rober J. Weiss, 93, of Milford, New Jersey passed away peacefully at his home on April 13, 2011.

Bob was born to Elizabeth (Moninghoff) and John Weiss on January 4, 1918 in Raubsville, PA. Raised in Riegelsville, PA. Bob's mother, Lizzy, as she was known, remarried a few years later to Andrew Kieffer and it was shortly thereafter Bob became interested in baseball. As a 16 year old he started playing for local amateur teams and as a 20 year old, he already was making an impact in the very popular semi-pro leagues in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. He played for teams in the Bi-State league and the East Penn League that produced several well-known major leaguers. Bob pitched for Riegel Ridge and Quakertown, and then had stints with Sanco in Phillipsburg and with Riegel Ridge when it entered the Tri-County League in New Jersey. Let it be said that Bob was not your ordinary baseball pitcher. He was widely regarded as one of the most prolific right-handers to ever play in the area and was one of the few who actually was paid to take the mound in those days. This was almost unheard of in the war years but it carried over to Bob signing a contract with Riegel Ridge as a player/manager in the late '40's, with attendance at some games reaching almost 2,000 people. As Bob was getting a little farther into his baseball career in the early '50's, Martins Creek, of the still popular Blue Mountain League, came calling and he pitched them to championships while remaining the most dominant pitcher in the league. Even though Bob only played for a few years for Martins Creek, he continued to stay involved with baseball after hanging up his mitt by managing his son's little league teams in the '50's.

When still a teenager, Bob went to work for Riegel Paper Corporation in 1937 and retired as a machine manager after having heart surgery in 1977, after 40 years of service. Interestingly, Bob also had a flair for photography back in the '40's and '50's becoming one of the area's most prominent photographers...specializing in portraits, team sports, weddings, school pictures, and anything to do with operations at one of the several Riegel mills in the area. Many of his pictures are framed and on display at the Riegel Ridge Community Center in Holland Township.
Bob also became involved in fund raising for Deborah Heart Hospital, responsible for his quadruple bi-pass operation, as President of its local chapter in Frenchtown, NJ. But as a member of St. Edward Catholic Church in Milford, NJ. Bob was probably most proud of his involvement in the Knights of Columbus where he worked his way to achieve its highest level in his 4th Degree Ceremony.
Bob was an avid golfer and an original member of Oak Hill Golf Club in Holland Township where he and his wife Doris played for many years together. And at his passing, there was not a more passionate fan of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bob leaves his wife of 70 years, Doris (Andrews); a daughter, Judy Yozzo of Rutherford, NJ; a son Jack, and his wife, Nan, of Wilmington, NC; grandchildren Cori Verdino and her husband Tommy, of Rutherford, NJ; Scott Yozzo and his wife, Anna, of Nutley, NJ; Carly Weiss of Philadelphia, PA; Mary Katherine Weiss of Wilmington, NC; and four great grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be said on Bob's behalf at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 18, 2011 at Saint Edward the Confessor R.C. Church, 61 Mill Street, Milford, NJ. 08848.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Saint Edward Catholic Church.