Robert E. Spieler

Robert “Bob” Emil Spieler, 68, of Pittsburgh, died of acute cardiac arrest on July 1, a deep shock to his family and community. 

Bob was born September 17, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio to Robert Frederick Spieler and Shirley Lorraine Knop Spieler.  In Bob’s youth, the family also lived in Brighton, Michigan, Silver Spring, Maryland, and Ambridge, Pennsylvania.  As a young adult, Bob then made Pittsburgh his permanent home.   

Bob worked for many years in printing and computer repair, utilizing his considerable electronics skills for the benefit of appreciative customers. 

A passionate and gifted rock guitarist, Bob was a beloved figure in the Pittsburgh music scene, recording albums and singles and performing at venues coast to coast. His raw-powered roster included Velvet Moon, Moist, Punching Contest, The Hurt, Electric Blanket, Master Mechanic, Mon Cannons, and Neverweres. He was a proud producer of records like the rare split single of local bands The Mud City Manglers and Plastered Bastards. 

He was also an avid collector of vintage pinball machines, jukeboxes, comic books, movies, and records.  Dubbed a “pinball wizard,” not only for mastering the games but also for maintaining the life of the machines. He had mad troubleshooting skills and could procure parts to fix just about anything that has a plug. 

Bob's taste in music and the arts was a curated mix of everything cool, weird, and wonderful. People of all ages loved talking to him about books, movies and music. You'd talk to him one day and the next day he'd bring you a book, DVD, or CD. He enriched people’s lives by converting old media to newer formats so they could bring their history back to life. 

Bob will be remembered for his musical passion, kind heart, loyalty, fairness, intelligence, and wicked wit. Whether playing guitar or pinball, it was hard to take your eyes off Bob. There was an effortless edge to the way he played — completely captivating. He kept in touch with people for decades, including his best friend from first grade in 1962. He was unique, or as Bob would pronounce, “yooni-Q”.  

Bob is survived by sisters Krista Spieler (Thomas Smith) and Sandra Spieler, brother James Spieler (Rebecca Linscott), nieces Sophia Linscott, Lucy Spieler, Rose Spieler Sandberg, nephew Micah Spieler Sandberg, many cousins including his close cousin/friend Paul Moke (Patti Kinsinger), and Steve Sandberg, former spouse of sister Sandra.  He is also survived by his beloved companion of many years, René DeMuyt, cats Porter and Pinot, and too many friends to list.   

A gathering to honor Bob’s life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination at 5006 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. 

Donations in Bob’s memory would be appreciated to the following, which Bob supported: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - https://www.carnegielibrary.org/give/ WOWD Takoma Radio - https://takomaradio.org/donate and WFMU Freeform Radio - https://pledge.wfmu.org/donate

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert E. Spieler, please visit our floral store.