Robert L. Lochmueller quietly passed away from natural causes on the evening of October 27, 2020 at Oakwood Health’s campus in Tell City, IN. He was born in Elberfeld, IN on June 5,1927 to the late Owen and Golda (Arendell) Lochmueller; and, he married Nancy Ann Merten on October 30, 1948, who preceded him in death in 2003. He was a U.S. Army veteran and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville where he played basketball, receiving 2-time All America status with his number retired and recognized in the U of L Hall of Fame. He also played basketball in the NBA with the former Syracuse Nationals (Philadelphia 76ers).
After a career-ending injury, he went on to become a highly successful basketball coach at both the high school and college ranks. He taught and coached at Ft. Branch, Princeton, Richmond and Seymour high schools in Indiana before moving on to coach at West Virginia University. After leaving WVU, he became the head coach of Tell City High School in 1965 where his teams won more than 400 games; and, he and his son Steve are one of four father son duos inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He retired in 1989 from Tell City-Troy Township School Corporation where he served as head basketball coach as well as on the school corporation’s Board of Trustees. In his spare time, he enjoyed golf and traveling.
He is survived by his children, Liz (Greg) Wathen of Evansville, IN, Steve (Christi) Lochmueller of Richmond, KY; six grandchildren (Sara, Whitney, Justin, Trevor, Presley and Chase); and, six great grandchildren (Max, Judah, Liam, Landon, Logan and Jake). He is also survived by his companion and close friend Ruthie Dilger of Tell City, IN.
Private funeral services will be held at Zoercher-Gillick Funeral Home in Tell City, IN with burial in Greenwood Cemetery.
Public visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday, October 31 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The family would like to thank the Wound Care Center and Second Floor Nurse’s Station at Perry County Memorial Hospital. We would like to thank as well Oakwood Health Campus and Heart-to-Heart Hospice for their comforting care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to woundedwarriorsfamilysupport.org.
Please note if you are attending the funeral home for visitation and/or services, a mask must be worn and social distancing practiced in order to comply with the state mandate.
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