Robert E.C. Wegner

1941 - 2021
Robert E.C. Wegner died on December 20, 2021, in Grapevine, Texas. He was born and raised in southern New Jersey. He graduated with distinction in 1963 from Purdue University. He received an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1965; an M.B.A. in Marketing from Columbia University in 1966 and a Ph.D. in Public Administration/Economics from New York University in 1979.

From 1968 to 1979 Dr. Wegner was an instrumental part in designing and implementing two new university schools-first at the University of Saskatchewan, the Faculty of Administration, and later at the University of Massachusetts, Boston Campus, the College of Professional Studies. The challenge of creating new academic approaches to more traditional fields was invigorating and rewarding to him, which continued once he left his professorship at UMass.
In the fall of 1979, he developed a financial advisory business. At the time, he was one of only a handful of fee-only advisors in the country.

During the 80's and 90's he also consulted for various firms, including Fidelity, Vanguard, Apex, and Travelers, and was instrumental in helping the fee-only business get a foothold in the early 80's, working with other advisors to develop the Certified Financial Planner Designation (CFP) and was one of the founding members and on the board of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). He also gave presentations to a wide range of professionals in the field-financial advisors, accountants, attorneys and executives. He spoke at numerous institutional meetings, including national conferences of financial advisors.

He continued to concentrate his efforts on his advisory business until his retirement in 2018, specializing in individuals and families which included a number of high profile clients in fields such as art, literature, academia, and among inventors, and founders of high tech firms.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Renate, a son, Mitchell and his wife, Donna, and three grandchildren, Zachary, Alexis, and Leah.
A private family funeral was held on December 28. Contributions in Robert's memory may be sent to Operation Smile.