Robert Louis "Bob" Weber

1930 - 2023

ROBERT “BOB” LOUIS WEBER
November 23, 1930 ˜ October 14, 2023

The Rev. Robert L. “Bob” Weber passed away at his home in Vancouver, WA, on Oct. 14, 2023, just shy of his 93rd birthday. He is survived by his loving wife, Thea; and children, David, Dennis, Michael (Jennifer), and Barbara, who meant the world to him, and he to them. He was preceded in death by his beloved siblings, Lorna (Harold) Brenneke, Paul (Berdina) Weber, Thelma (Gordon) Lowden, and William (Maryann) Weber.

Robert was born Nov. 23, 1930, in Indianapolis, IN, to Adolph and Emma (Decker) Weber. After about a year, they moved to a farm near Woodburn, IN. Robert attended elementary school at Zion Lutheran School in Bull Rapids; graduated from Concordia Lutheran High School (1948) and Junior College (1950) in Fort Wayne, IN. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, graduating in 1955 after spending his vicarage (1953-54) at Charity Lutheran Church in Detroit, MI. He married his beloved life’s companion, Thea Heckman, in 1954, having met on a school choir trip six years before, making it 75 wonderful years they were blessed to share. (Thea called her mother from the trip and said, ”I met the man I’m going to marry.” She was 16, he 18.)

After graduation from seminary, he was called to Concordia Lutheran Church, Lake Park, IA. He was ordained and installed there on Aug. 14, 1955. In 1960, he was called to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Milan, MI, where he served until accepting a call to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, MI, in 1964. In 1968, he was called to St. John Lutheran Church in South Euclid, OH, where he served until accepting a call to St. James Lutheran Church in Columbus, OH, in 1975. In 1980, he was called to St. John Lutheran Church in Vancouver, WA, where he served until he retired in 1993.

After retirement, he was instrumental in establishing Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in East Vancouver. Also in retirement, he served as vacancy pastor to many congregations in the Northwest District: in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska, as well as several summers on the Alaska Highway Ministry in Anderson, Denali National Park and Healy, AK.

Bob was a true follower of Christ, a friend to all, a regular guy who was a minister, which made him such a good one, and is universally remembered as a pastor for everyone, enriching the lives of countless people over his many years of ministry.

Bob served the church in a number of other capacities: editor of the Iowa West Walther League newspaper; Concordia Cub Weeks staff member at Lake Okoboji in IA; the Michigan District Stewardship Board; the Ohio District Mission Board; as circuit counselor of Circuit 8 of the Northwest District. He served on the staff of several Lutheran Service Volunteer schools as well as speaker at several “Each One Reach One” mission weeks. His last service was as a team member of the Interview Committee for prospective seminary students herein the Northwest District.

Bob was a sportsman, excelling at baseball and basketball growing up (he even turned down a chance to try out for the Washington Senators). Later in life, he was an avid bowler and golfer, and loved the camaraderie of team sports, and on weekends, in retirement, could usually be found watching his favorite teams on TV. Perhaps above all, Bob was a fisherman and outdoorsman. He loved to camp, fish, hike, boat, and travel, and his children (and wife) have him to thank for their love of the great outdoors, road trips, and travel. Born a flatlander, he had a special affinity for the PNW, making it to the top of several Cascade peaks, including Mount St. Helens, and was tickled to have become a member of Mazamas; and for Alaska, where he enjoyed the excellent fishing and pristine wilderness. He liked nothing better than showing visitors around his favorite places, or chatting up the camper next door or the person at the next gas pump, usually to discover some connection to them, be it where they were from, or someone they both knew. It was uncanny, and a family joke. Bob had a great sense of humor, and loved a good joke, often with a little mischief mixed in. Born a farmer, Bob loved flowers and gardening, and grew the best tomatoes in a backyard garden in Columbus, OH.

He is beloved, and will be greatly missed by all of us. We were blessed to have him for so many years.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, Vancouver, on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., with lunch and fellowship to follow. Remembrances can be made to County-Wide Chaplaincy, Clark County, WA; or Council for the Homeless, Vancouver, WA. Please share a memory at evergreenstaples.com/obituaries.

Please share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits