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Robert Weir Obituary
Bob started playing the coronet in school. In 1941 he proudly performed with the Sioux Falls Washington High School Band at the christening of the battleship USS South Dakota at Camden, New Jersey. In 2005, Bob donated that coronet to the Battleship South Dakota Memorial museum in Sioux Falls.
Following in the footsteps of his older brothers Dan, Tom and Jim, Bob joined the military at 17 during WWII and served as navigator on a PB2Y "flying boat" aircraft in the South Pacific.
In later years he participated in many reunions to reinforce the unspoken bond that cannot be broken between the sailors in his Navy squadron. His last Squadron reunion celebrated the induction of the only remaining PB2Y into the Naval air museum at Pensacola, Florida. On his 90th birthday, Bob donated his flight log books to the PBY Museum on Whidbey Island, Washington.
A graduate of the University of Washington, Bob retired as a managing engineer in quality control with over 40 years at Boeing. A highlight of his career occurred in 1981 when he maintained the instrumentation that monitored gases going to the launch pad for the first NASA launch of the Columbia space shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. He was the closest non-military personnel to the launch pad.
Bob leaves behind his beloved wife, Jan, daughters, Linda, Lisa, and foster daughter Charlotte, grandchildren Ellen and Loren, great-granddaughters, Josie and Mae, and brother Frank. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori and grandson, Timothy, and his older siblings Jim, Tom, Dan, Lillian, Joy, Mary and Dorothy.
More than anything, Bob Weir was devoted to and loved all his extended family and friends. We invite you to share your thoughts and memories in the comment section below.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Linda Allen
September 29, 2023
Today is Bob Weir´s birthday. He was born 98 years ago on September 29. You´d think that after a year I would be able to share some meaningful thoughts and memories of my beloved father, but I am at as much of a loss today as I was then.
We are grateful to our good friend, Tony Stepke, for opening these remarks. And for each of you who shared your memories and feelings about Bob Weir. You all described him similarly and perfectly and from the heart. Thank you Tony, Antonio, Kevin, Gloria, Laurie and Dan for your memories.
Some people have different public and private personas. Not so Bob Weir.
My father was devout and lived his life in humble service to his Creator, his extended family and to all of humankind. Always the first to offer to help, always the gracious host as everyone here described. As Dan pointed out, he would be front and center to welcome everyone, and he would make sure someone left with sustenance. Once he was taking so long in a public restroom that we sent my husband, Larry, in to find out if he was OK. Turns out he was using paper towels to wipe up the counter - he didn't want someone else to have to use it so filthy. He would have just cleaned the counter for others and never mentioned it.
Laurie shared memories of our families growing up together. Each had four daughters. Both our fathers would have liked a son, but when we were together with 10 women and two overwhelmed men, Bob Weir claimed to be the luckiest man alive to be surrounded by so many beautiful women. And he meant it. He made the best of everything in life.
That may be the most valuable lesson I learned from his example - to look for the best in everyone and everything. With such pureness of heart, he was almost naïve and easy to take advantage of by the unscrupulous. Better that than the cynic many of us can become.
He was pure and sweet to the end, gracious to his family and his caregivers even though he was suffering, even though he couldn´t remember who any of us were. Though we mourned his physical absence, we knew he was now at peace. When his physical body left this Earth, it seems his spirit filled the empty spaces in the cells of those who love him, guiding us.
Not a moment goes by that his presence is not within me, my family and all of you who cared enough to post here. Thank you all for sharing. And thank you, Bob Weir, for showing us how to have a life well lived focused on the things that matter.
I love you. I miss you. I hold your spirit close.
Happy Birthday Father
Daniel Collins
December 18, 2022
Ever since as long as I can remember, our family used to make trips up to Vashon from Oregon Bob and Jan, who was first cousins with my Dad. I will always remember Bob for the ways he always did his part to make us feel welcome whenever we visited from telling jokes, to taking us for boat rides, and many other ways, including the last time I was up to visit in 2007. I was also in the area to attend a workshop in Tacoma and, each day I left, it was Bob who made sure I had a sack lunch to take with me.
Laurie Wendell
September 5, 2022
I must comment on the beautiful note below, thank you Antonio for writing that message, so true of both Bob and Jan. Their family was and is one of love, inclusion and hospitality. Many fond memories of holiday parties and dinners at their home.
Laurie
Gloria Campau
August 31, 2022
He and Jan have always been the worlds greatest hosts and friends. Bob represented the very best of The Greatest Generation. Generous and funny and so much more.
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Antonio Cabrera
August 21, 2022
Such a lovely couple Bob and Jan, clearly remember visiting them with my dad at their house overlooking the ocean in Vashon WA. I also recall two kids from Ukraine staying over for a few months as exchange students, but Bob and Jan were always looking after them like extra grandsons. I mentioned casually that I liked flounder fish and Bob ran across town to get some fresh halibut for us to eat!!!! it is that kind of things that might sound a little too close to spoiling kids but when I look back at that moment, it really felt like your host doing all his best to make you feel at home with them.
Few years later they dropped by to Chile to visit and we were very happy to join them and spend some great time with them, and we were very happy indeed to have our turn in showing them around our beautiful countryside. And again, their love and warmth was always setting them apart.
I do have with me a box of books that came in the mail shortly after they went home to WA, with some great volumes that they thought very accurately I would enjoy. It then sets the point that even when gone from your side they are still looking after you.
Keeping those loving memories in a very special place in my heart, how great that halibut tasted served in their nice china, and sure that Bob will still be enjoying the sight of the whales with their calfs swimming north from Baja , passing in front of his porch, I send his family and friends my deepest sympathy , and encourage them to keep honoring his legacy of love and generosity together.
Sincerely
Antonio
Laurie Wendell
August 21, 2022
Jan, Linda, Lisa - Sorry for this earthly loss but I do know your dad is in heaven with my parents and our Lord. Bob was SO nice, I never in my life (since I was what, 5?) never saw him mad. He was the calmest sweetest guy and so welcoming and fun. I'm glad you were like another family to ours - sorry I can't be there to give you all hugs but sending my condolences. Love, Laurie (Punkin)
Kevin Cooper
August 20, 2022
My sincere condolences to all the Weir family. Bob always had a warm greeting and great smile.
Anthony Stepke
August 19, 2022
Dear Bob, you did your best for your country, for your family and for all of us who were blessed with your friendship.
Farewell my friend, lighting the road we will all follow some day.
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