Robert Henry Stieber, aka “Pretty Boy,” as he liked to be called, was born May 13, 1948, to Joe and Alvena (Hodde) Stieber in Chandler, Oklahoma. Robert was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 27, 2025, with family at his side, at the age of 76 years.
Robert attended Wellston Elementary School until his family moved to the Chandler area, where he graduated from Chandler High School in 1966. He received an associate’s degree from Seminole Junior College in 1977.
Robert served in the United States Army from November 1967 to November 1969, where he was deployed to Vietnam for one year. He received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge for the M-14 rifle, and a Bronze Star in recognition of his brave and heroic actions in Vietnam. Robert married Vesta Sharlene Sage on December 21, 1967, and they had two daughters, Robbi Shawna and Sharla Rae.After his military service, Robert went back to work at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma until his retirement in 1993, completing 26 years of service. He then transitioned to fulltime farming, providing custom hay-baling services and raising cattle. While the Oklahoma weather was a constant challenge, he enjoyed being his own boss and loved just sitting out in the field looking at his cattle. He decided to retire from farming in 2021, as his Alzheimer’s symptoms were progressing.
After Sharlene’s passing in June 2016, Robert later married Rita (Burkle) Clark on November 24, 2018. Robert attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shawnee from 1966 to 1981 and was a faithful member of the Assemblies of God church for over 40 years, until he became too ill to attend in early 2024. He spent time serving as a deacon and as a Royal Ranger leader.
Robert loved spending time with his family, getting together for birthdays or holidays or vacationing together in Branson. His grandkids were the light of his life, he rarely missed any of their baseball, football or softball games, band concerts or marching band contests. He helped coach little league baseball when he was young and at 65 years old helped coach (and pitch) to his young granddaughters in coach-pitch softball. He enjoyed watching and playing sports, playing volleyball and pickleball with his kids and grandkids into his 70s.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, wife Sharlene, and brother Leon Stieber.Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Rita Stieber, daughter Robbi and husband Robbie Aucoin, daughter Sharla and husband Jeff Dyer, grandson Zachary Rush and wifeAshley, grandson EthanAucoin, granddaughters Shayla and Brittany Robbins, granddaughter Kaitlyn and husband Tyler Evans, step-grandson Tylor Robbins, step-granddaughtersAlysson Collins and Jordan Dyer, brother Jackie and wife Janna Stieber and many other relatives and friends.
Afuneral was held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Lehman Funeral Home and interment followed at Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler.Arrangements were under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.