Robert R. Spieler

Robert R. Spieler served in the United States Army Chemical Corps as a Private.

Mr. Spieler was born on September 30, 1942 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma during World War II. He was the first and only child born to Private Alex Spieler and his wife, Irene. As the United States fought back against the Nazis' final onslaught at the great Battle of the Bulge, Private Alex Spieler, a Munitions Specialist, was deployed to the frontlines. Robert was just three years old when his father made
the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country.

In 1960, our Nation was at war in Vietnam. Mr. Spieler turned 18 and began his college studies in Chemistry, having received a scholarship to Hofstra University. To honor his father’s legacy, he chose to decline his survivorship exemption and join the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Upon his graduation in 1964, Mr. Spieler trained at Fort Dix, joined the Edgewood Arsenal, and served his
country with distinction in the Chemical Corps until 1966.

Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Spieler found lifelong fulfillment in service to his community. After a long career as a math teacher in the New York City public school system, Mr. Spieler continues to find ways to solve problems and engage people of all ages in learning new things.

Mr. Spieler founded the first chess club at the Brooklyn Public Library, which has been successful for over 10 years. Four years ago, he started Brooklyn’s official Pickleball Association and successfully lobbied for the Borough’s only outdoor courts at Marine Park.

At 80 years young, Mr. Spieler still trains daily, which led him to organize the outdoor gym club at Joffe Park, where he inspires a new generation and leads the advocacy for improvements to better serve the community. 

Mr. Spieler is a proud family man. He and his wife, Susan, have been married for 57 years and have two sons, Andrew and Howard, and eight beautiful grandchildren.