Robert Michael Wendling

Robert Michael Wendling passed away on the morning of September 27, 2025, at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He battled a number of heart-health related issues since birth, and in 1985 received a new lease on life when his aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical one. Illness over this year's winter and spring months left him physically weakened, but his positive and loving spirit remained intact until his death.

He is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Marianne; his two children, Eric James of Sterling, Va and Jason Andrew of Catonsville, Md; and his cherished grandchildren, Andrew Connor, and Nathan James. He is also survived by his two brothers, Frederick and Steven, and predeceased by his sister Karen.

Bob was born to Donald Eugene Wendling and Rosemary Hoffman Wendling on July 25, 1951, at Misawa Air Base Hospital in the city of Misawa, Aomori Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. As the son of an Army officer he lived in numerous locations throughout the world and the continental US. He graduated from Annandale High School, Annandale, Va in 1969, and from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN in 1973. Bob lived in West Springfield, VA for 36 years before downsizing and splitting time between Norfolk, Va and Belmont Bay in Woodbridge, Va.

Bob was a 30-year career federal employee, serving first as an Economist with the Solar Energy Program at the Department of Energy, and then as a Senior Economist and Director of STAT-USA at the US Department of Commerce.

During his career he was the recipient of numerous awards for customer service excellence, and most notably received a 1985 Bronze Medal Award and a 1995 Hammer Award while employed with STAT-USA, Economics and Statistics Administration, US Department of Commerce.

In 1985, Robert co-founded Management Information Services Incorporated, a management consulting firm specializing in energy R&D, technology, and fuel markets; water intrusion and flood assessment; oil, coal, natural gas, hydrogen, renewable, hydro, and nuclear energy analyses.

Bob was an avid recreational boater and loved cruising the shores of the Potomac River as well as the Chesapeake Bay. He was also dedicated to the sport of triathlon for over 30 years. Bob competed in numerous triathlons throughout the Eastern region, and then began volunteering as a certified official, monitoring a variety of triathlons throughout the country for over 10 years. In 2008 Bob was elected as Treasurer of USA Triathlon and served in that capacity for 3 years. Bob was named as the 15th President of USA Triathlon in January 2011 and served on the Board of Directors for 3 additional years. During his years of involvement in the sport of triathlon, he was also extremely proud to watch his two sons develop into hugely competent triathletes themselves. They started competing at the ages of 5 and 7 and continued with the sport up to their pre-teen years, when competitive swimming became their primary focus.

During his early golden years, Bob became certified as a Bareboat Charter Captain (primarily sailing catamarans) and particularly enjoyed his numerous trips with his family and friends to the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, and Belize. Later in his retirement, Bob purchased his second boat, his beloved 2015 Ranger Tug, and spent quite a bit of time with his family exploring the lower Chesapeake Bay. He treasured this time with his family, including the many hours spent watching his grandsons' soccer and baseball games. He also really enjoyed his grandson's fencing tournament that he was able to attend. Another favorite pastime was going to Norfolk Tides baseball games with his baseball-loving grandsons. Watching his grandsons' baseball games brought up such wonderful memories for Bob, of watching both his sons, Eric and Jason, grow into top notch baseball players. Love of the sport of baseball runs deep in the Wendling family.

Bob will be sorely missed by his family and friends, including his many friends at Nansemond on the Bay in Norfolk, VA, where "Papa's beach condo" is located.