Topmiller, Robert J. “Doc”

Robert J. “Doc” Topmiller

October 18, 1948 – September 2, 2008

Robert Topmiller was born Oct. 18, 1948, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Norbert Topmiller and Rita Meyer Topmiller. He attended St. Peter and Paul Elementary and graduated Moeller High School in 1966. He married Terri Nicks on Nov. 1, 1969, in Weiser, Idaho.

He joined the Navy serving as a Navy Corpsmen with the US Marines in Vietnam. He served as a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Corpsman at the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968. He received a Purple Heart for his wounds during his service there. During the Hellhole at Khe Sanh — the 77 days under relentless bombardment, when the 19-year-old Corpsman HM2 Robert J. Topmiller, tended some of 2,200 wounded and 400 dying Americans.

Robert “Doc” Topmiller — a retired history professor from Eastern Kentucky University, author, humanitarian and passionate advocate for veterans — despite invisible wounds, lived an accomplished and meaningful post-war life.

Robert authored several books about Khe Sanh and the effect of the war on the Vietnamese people as well as the effects of PTSD on Vietnam veterans. He returned to Vietnam several times to research firsthand these effects including the impact of introducing Agent Orange herbicide into their environment.

After being in business for over 20 years, Bob returned to university, receiving his Ph.D. in history. He taught history to military personnel in South Korea and at Eastern Kentucky University, until his retirement in May 2008. He was a teacher who truly cared about his students. He will be missed by his family and his many friends.

Robert is survived by his wife Terri Topmiller, their Four children, Chris Topmiller (Brianne), Kevin Topmiller (Gina), Robert Topmiller, and Jamie Topmiller-Sadler; and seven grandchildren, Brooke and Scott Topmiller and Ross and Aidan Sadler. Ava and Sophia Topmiller (Chris) and Max Topmiller (Rob).