Robert Niles Tiefenbrunn

Robert Niles Tiefenbrunn passed on November 8, 2024, in West Hartford, leaving his wife Norma (Wolski) after 66 loving years. Bob was born on born November 21, 1936 in St. Louis, MO. When he was a teen, his family moved to Connecticut and Bob graduated from Hamden High School. He then attended UConn for two years, where he met Norma on a blind date (a snowy football game), and they began their journey together. Bob landed a place in Pratt & Whitney Aircraft’s drafting-trainee program in North Haven and began a 42-year career that saw him move through the ranks from Draftsman to Chief Draftsman. When CAD was introduced, Bob was chosen to lead the department through their transition to computer drafting and retired in 1999 as a Design Engineer. While in North Haven and raising his young family, Bob was a member of the Social Action Committee at St. Barnabas Parish and served on the North Haven Library Board of Directors. After Pratt & Whitney moved their drafting operations to East Hartford, the family moved to Glastonbury and began a new chapter of their lives. In the summer of 1980, all six Tiefs volunteered to work backstage and on costuming on the production of “Carousel” for Glastonbury Youth & Family Services Creative Experiences Theater Program. It was the beginning of a 30-year run for Bob and most of the family as members of “Local 31 Tech.” Lending his skills in drafting, design, and building to the staff, he led a crew of youth carpenters who helped bring his designs to life. He was “Dad” to everyone – cast, crew, and directors, teaching them how to cut boards and pound nails - and always “use the right tool for the job.” He took great pride in his work and in sharing his expertise and knowledge with students and volunteers. “Dad” was also the treasurer of Friends of Glastonbury Youth (FOGY) for many years and was named “FOGY” of the year in 1982. Bob also lent his expertise to St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church in Glastonbury, as designer and builder of the outdoor creche that is reassembled every year for the Christmas season. Visitors to any of the Tief residences were impressed by Bob’s collection of vintage Lionel model trains and the elaborate layouts that he built. Family vacations almost always included a visit to a railroad museum or a steam train ride. Bob caught UConn Women’s Basketball fever in 1995, was a season ticket holder for many years, and even travelled to 2 Final Fours to cheer them on. He rarely missed a game. In his later years, Bob’s interest in genealogy grew, and he spent many hours researching the Tiefenbrunn family history and assisting Norma with her family’s story. Bob leaves behind his loving wife, Norma and children David and his wife Adelaide (Scotti) of Colchester, Nancy & her husband Steven Tatsapaugh of Newington, Mary and her husband Gary Cole of Sidney IL, and Jaie of Nashville, TN, and grandsons Camden Tatsapaugh and Thomas Livingston. He also leaves his brothers, James of Bethlehem, PA and Edward of Palm Coast, FL, and was pre-deceased by his parents, Vincent J. Tiefenbrunn and Ellen (Hammond) Tiefenbrunn of Bethlehem, PA. Calling hours will be held Monday, November 25 from 4-7pm at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave, West Hartford. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10am on Tuesday, November 26 at St. Thomas the Apostle, 872 Farmington Ave, West Hartford followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to FOGY or Maryknoll Sisters, P.O. Box 317, Maryknoll, NY 10545.