Cmdr. Robert Francis Wenzel USN (Ret.)

MELBOURNE, Fla. | Cmdr. Robert Francis Wenzel, USN, Retired, 85, died in Melbourne, Fla. on Oct. 26, 2015.

Bob was born in Auburn, N.Y. on Sept. 12, 1930. He graduated from Auburn East High School and enlisted in the Navy in 1948. While in the Navy, he graduated from the University of Southern California, the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School, George Washington University (MBA), and the Armed Forces Staff College.

Cmdr. Wenzel had three distinct careers, the first and his proudest with the U.S. Navy, where he served his country as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, an aircraft carrier pilot, flight squadron commander, and instructor; the second as an executive with Bristol Myers Squibb in Syracuse, N.Y.; and the third as an international business consultant IESC (International Executive Service Corps) in Sri Lanka and Ukraine.

Bob served his fellow man as a volunteer in New York and in Florida, from chairman of Consolidated Industries, to President of the Cayuga County ARC, to the Satellite Beach Civilian Patrol. He was honored to be awarded the 4th Degree Knighthood with the Knights of Columbus of the Florida-Desoto Province.

Church, family, country, and the Navy were the highest priorities for Bob. He had very high standards for himself, his children, and those around him, and was proud of his professional and personal achievements and especially those of his children and grandchildren.

A farmer's son, he worked hard all his life and applied that work ethic to his achievements as a naval officer, executive, and community volunteer. An avid sportsman, Bob loved to hunt and fish, and shared his love of the outdoors with his family, camping in the Adirondacks and boating in the Finger Lakes. He was skilled at home improvements and carpentry, skills he taught to his children and grandchildren.

The family offers special thanks to the staff at Autumn House for the gift of their professional care rendered with tenderness and dignity.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Herbert J. and Irene S. Wenzel, and his sisters, Elizabeth (Church) and Barbara.

Survivors include his wife, Diane; children, Patti (John) Callahan, of Syracuse, Susan (Charles) Glover, of Suffolk, VA., Nancie Arquette, of Auburn, Robert Jr. (Barbara), of Keller, TX, and Elisabeth (James) Devaney, of Wading River, NY; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; step children, Jeff and Scott Cargill, and two grandchildren. Opa will be missed by many! He is also survived by his former wife, June Purington Graybill; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

To celebrate Bob's life, a Mass of Christian burial was held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015 at St. John The Evangelist Church, Melbourne, Fla. A memorial ceremony will be held in Central New York at a date/time to be determined. Bob will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to Brevard Alzheimer's Foundation, 4676 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32935, or Seneca Cayuga ARC (for Camp Columbus), 1521 Clark St. Road, Auburn, NY 13021.