Robert B. Wessling

1937 - 2023

October 8, 1937 - January 31, 2023 Robert "Bob" Bruce Wessling, 85, died peacefully at his longtime home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 31, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.
He was born in Chicago on October 8, 1937, to Marguerite R. and Robert E. Wessling.
Driven by his intelligence, discipline and love of learning, Bob excelled academically and athletically at Carl Schurz High School, graduating a semester early after serving as class president.
He earned a full scholarship to DePauw University, an institution that remained important throughout his life. While there, he jettisoned his thoughts of joining the clergy and decided instead to pursue a career in the law. He pledged Beta Theta Pi and most importantly, was lucky enough to meet the woman who would become his beloved wife of almost 62 years, Judy Hanson.
After graduating Phi Beta Kappa and with high honors, he attended the University of Michigan Law School, where he was assistant editor of the Michigan Law Review and was selected for the Order of the Coif.
Although he always remained grateful for his Midwestern roots, Bob next moved to Santa Monica, CA, so that he could join the then-25-member firm, Latham & Watkins, where he would spend the next 32 years, become a partner and make lifelong friends. Bob's practice mainly focused on finance. In their tribute to him, the firm called him a trailblazer in his field, adding that he "is widely known as one of the key pioneers of Latham's burgeoning bankruptcy practice. Bob's dedication to his clients and unwavering service contributed to the growth of the LA office and finance practice in myriad ways. Regarded as a dependable colleague and bright legal mind, Bob was the longtime Vice-Chair of the then-named Finance & Real Estate Department, and his leadership helped pave the way to Latham's preeminence in the practice." He was also a member of a wide variety of committees, and served as chair of the Collections Committee and the Creditor's Rights Committee. Perhaps most important to Bob in his practice was being a mentor to many associates, a role in which he took deep pride.
Bob was also active in the legal field outside the firm. He was elected a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, and served on the Board of Governors for the Financial Lawyers Conference for decades.
Retired Chair and Managing Partner of Latham, Jack Walker, recalled Bob as "a lovely human being and a superb lawyer (who) demonstrated that one could balance excellence as a lawyer with excellence as a parent and a citizen." Bob truly cared about the state of the world and believed humanity could work together to make it better. Along with serving in the National Guard, he volunteered time and devoted resources to many community organizations. He was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees at his beloved DePauw University, where he and Judy also established a scholarship, and he was an active member of Westwood Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees (including as president), ushered weekly, and assumed many leadership positions. Additionally, he was a board member and past president of the Westwood Village Rotary Club, and he served on the advisory board of The Salvation Army (LA Metro) and the board of managers of the Collins & Katz Family YMCA. He was also a member of the Music Center's Fraternity of Friends, supporting his beloved LAPhil (and LA Opera), and he served as a board member (and chair) of Riviera Tennis Club, where for many years he enjoyed a weekly doubles game.
Family came first for Bob. When his three daughters were young, he made a point of having dinner with his family every night and spending Sundays at church followed by brunch at Ship's or Hamburger Hamlet and outings on bicycle, horseback or foot. He never failed to take every allotted vacation day to travel around the country and the world. Bob initiated Latham's sabbatical program by taking the family to Europe for three months. He later told the Los Angeles Times that it was the last chance for a lengthy trip before his daughters left for college, adding, "I will have the memories of that time together with me forever."
He will be remembered as a gentleman with a dry sense of humor and a gracious host who opened his heart and home to a vast and sometimes random assortment of friends, colleagues, stranded au pairs, friends of friends, friends of his daughters, improv groups and a large extended family. There was never a "No Vacancy" sign at Best Wessling (a.k.a. Bedlam & Breakfast).
He is survived by his beloved wife, Judy, daughters Katherine Wessling, Jenni Forsman (Arnie) and Carolyn Wessling (Peter Marks), grandchildren Luke and Owen Forsman and Josie and Oliver Marks, step-granddaughter Brianna Longo (Matt), a niece, two nephews and five step-great-granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Turner Compton.
A private family interment was held on February 18. There will be a celebration of Bob's life on April 24 at Westwood Church. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations be made to the Robert B. and Judith H. Wessling Scholarship Fund at DePauw University or the Brain Health Center at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence St. John's Medical Center in Santa Monica.