Who nominated Robert Weigel?
Jeff Thurman, president and CEO of Colonial Senior Services.
Marilyn Schwemberger, vice president of Fort Hamilton Hospital.
Dr. Jim Scott Jr. and Neil Cohen, who served with Weigel on the board at Fort Hamilton.
Rob Wile and Steve Sullivan, both of United Health Insurance.
Chamber of Commerce annual dinner
When: Jan. 28 — 5:30 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner
Where: Courtyard by Marriott, 1 Riverfront Plaza
Cost: $75 per person, $700 per table of 10
Keynote: Dr. O’dell Owens, president of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Contact: Nancy O’Neill at (513) 844-1500
HAMILTON — When it comes time to choose Citizen of the Year, Kenny Craig, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said it’s not typical for winners to receive the bulk of nominations.
But when Robert Weigel, of Weigel Funeral Home, was given this year’s honor, it was with the support of six nominators.
Weigel, 63, has been on the Fort Hamilton Hospital board 11 years and was chairman leading up to the agreement with Kettering Health Network to continue the hospital’s service in the city.
“Over the course of several years, he’s shown tremendous leadership with Fort Hamilton Hospital,” said Woody Fitton, president of Hamilton Rotary, who served on the hospital board. “The long-term existence of the hospital was in jeopardy and Bob steered it through really precarious times.”
Citizen of the Year is chosen annually by two Chamber officers and management staff from the Hamilton JournalNews, including publisher Edwina Blackwell Clark.
Weigel will be honored at the chamber’s annual meeting on Jan. 28 with a plaque and a $1,000 donation to the charity of his choice — the Fort Hamilton Hospital Foundation.
Weigel said it was the board’s collaboration that led to the agreement with Kettering Health. During the four-year negotiations, the board felt it imperative to keep the hospital in the city because it is the largest nongovernment employer.
“It’s pretty easy to work with people that want to do good things,” Weigel said. “I found it very likeable.”
After graduating from Taft High School in 1965, Weigel attended Miami University in Oxford, followed by Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He started working at his family’s business, which opened in 1926, and by 1972 he was running it.
“I’ve been a big supporter of Hamilton,” Weigel said. His business has been a part of the Chamber since 1963.
Weigel even served five terms on Hamilton City Council, including time as mayor and vice mayor.
“He’s very humble and does things for the right reasons,” Fitton said. “It’s not about him, but about the community.”
Weigel’s son Rob has worked at the family business almost three years. He said his father’s honor was unexpected, but not surprising. “On a day-to-day basis, he does a lot for us,” Rob Weigel said. “He makes it an environment where we can learn and do our best.”
Barry Richardson, an employee at Weigel Funeral Home, said, “He does so much for others. He’s a hometown person, and that makes a difference. He has roots here. It’s his home and it’s going to be.”
Pastor Bob Ingram of Grace United Methodist Church said he’s worked with Weigel on a number of funerals, which is where he gets to see Weigel’s heart.
“He gives tender, personal care whether it’s on an individual basis, or a large corporation like the hospital,” Ingram said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.
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