Robert A. Restifo, known to most as Bob, died 5/27/2024, at the age of 78, He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Dr. Samuel and Mrs. Valarie Restifo. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Oh.

He and his wife, Jan Lantz, lived in Worthington, Ohio. They had been married 13 years but had been good friends for the previous 30 years. He was fond of telling friends that he fell in love with her the first time he met her. They had a rich and enduring love. He had many old and newer friends who will miss him greatly.

Bob graduated from Muskingum College prior to getting his Masters Degree from Ohio State University. He worked at the Ohio Department of Health in the Vectorborne Disease Program for over 30 years. As an entomologist, he traveled throughout Ohio to trap and identify mosquitoes and ticks involved in transmitting diseases to people. Bob was happy to be outside flagging for ticks in the woods, dipping for mosquito larvae in culverts, and collecting flies in manure pits. He was involved in several investigations of diseases caused by insects and animals that were new to Ohio at the time, including St. Louis Encephalitis in the 1970s, Lyme disease (1990s), Racoon rabies (1996) and West Nile Virus (2001).

Bob was a nature enthusiast and enjoyed vacationing "anywhere away from a large city.' His favorite insect was the dragonfly of which he had a huge collection. He was a member for many years of ODONATA, an Ohio organization of dragonfly enthusiasts. He was also a member of the national organization, DSA.

He is survived by his wife, Jan Lantz, his son, Rob Restifo, his stepson, Michael Lantz, his granddaughters, Mara Moff and Mattea Restifo, and great granddaughter, Natalie Moff. He is also survived by his sisters, Dr. Mary Restifo and his twin, Roberta Carpico. His sister, Valerie Grove passed in 2023. Surviving in laws are Ernie Carpico, Ted Grove, David and Joanne Evans, and Neil Moff. Nephews are Travis and Brad Carpico, Nate and Nick Evans.