Bob Roethler graduated from Central High School in 1963. During his high school career, Bob participated in football, wrestling, track, and baseball. After high school, Bob went on to Loras College. He wrestled all four years of college and was team captain during his junior and senior year. After graduating from Loras in 1967, Bob was hired by St. Edmonds High School as a social studies teacher, head wrestling coach, and assistant football coach. In the early 1970s, Bob earned a Master's degree in guidance counseling from Truman State University in Missouri.

Bob Roethler became head wrestling coach at Emmetsburg High School in 1972. His teams earned a record of 77-7-1 from 1972-1980. During his coaching career at Emmetsburg, his team won four consecutive state titles from 1976 to 1979, and he coached 35 plus state place winners.

Bob was inducted into the Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1991. In 1998, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Bob was also given the Medal of Courage Award during the State wrestling tournament in 2010. Bob currently spends his time as a volunteer wrestling assistant at Emmetsburg High School.