Robert E. Wacker

1949 - 2024

Robert E Wacker

March 5, 1949 - February 12, 2024

Los Osos, California - Bob Wacker passed away peacefully at home in Los Osos on Feb. 12, 2024, just three weeks shy of his 75th birthday. As friends and acquaintances know, he modeled friendship, fatherhood, familyhood and mentorship. He was a pillar of the San Luis Obispo community and an outstanding human being.

Bob was born in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where his father worked as a chemist on the Manhattan Project. When Bob was 11, his father died and his valiant mother Alma moved Bob and his older sister Pam to Tempe, AZ. At the age of 14, he won the Optimist International speech contest in Toronto and was honored with the key to the City of Tempe on Sept. 5, 1963, forever after celebrated as Bob Wacker Day. He delivered his winning speech to 22 Optimist Clubs, with his mother driving him and his sister across the country in the family's camper. He graduated from Tempe High School in the class of 1966 ("We have fun, we have kicks, we're the Class of '66").

Bob graduated from Arizona State University in 1971 with a political science degree, and was a proud brother in the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity. He worked in the hospitality industry for 12 years, which took him to Dallas, Newport Beach, Marin County and Monterey. His life bloomed when his daughter Stefanie was born in 1983, and Bob began his financial planning studies. He met Debbie Grubbs in Monterey when Stefanie was 3 years old, and the three of them married in 1987. Son Randy was welcomed in 1989, adding another blessing to the family. Bob and Debbie were together almost 37 years, in an extraordinary partnership.

The family moved to San Luis Obispo in 1987 where Bob worked as a Certified Financial Planner. Many knew him as "the money man." He founded his fee-only financial planning firm, which, with the assistance of an incredible team over the years, became Wacker Wealth Partners.

Others knew him as "the funny man." Endowed with a legendary sense of humor, he was ubiquitous as a master of ceremonies and could lighten anyone's day.

To his family, he was just "the man." He coached his kids' early sports teams, and was an ever-present (sometimes vocal) spectator watching their school teams. He loved his role as official announcer at their football and basketball games.

He knew how to have fun and he made each day count.

He was passionate about golf and baseball. Golf lured him to Monterey, and over the years he was able to play some of the world's most beautiful courses. Many know of Bob and Randy's escapades to all the Major League Baseball stadiums. We will forever root for his beloved Giants and 49ers, and know that Bob continues to watch over his golf buddies' antics.

Bob was a tireless volunteer in the community, serving many organizations: Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Foundation, Cuesta Foundation, SLO Chamber of Commerce, Trinity United Methodist Church and SLO Hospice, to name a few.

In accepting the 2024 Lou Tedone Humanitarian Award from the French Hospital Foundation, Bob said, "We are a group of incredibly blessed people. As such, I used to think it was a duty to give back to others who could use our help, but you know I changed my mind. My life has been incredibly lucky, for many different reasons and in many different ways. Like everyone, I've experienced disappointments, but, on balance, it's unbelievable how blessed I've been. I recognize that it's a gift and a privilege - not a duty - to have been put in a position where we can make a positive impact on people who need help - with physical and mental health issues, with basic human subsistence, with education, with housing - the list is endless … and so are the opportunities. I appreciate this recognition, but mainly I appreciate the gift of being able to help."

Bob was full of grace. He lived with integrity, compassion and abundant generosity. He made the world a better place.

Bob was predeceased by his father Robert Wacker Sr., his beloved mother and stepfather Alma and Al Leffler, and his sister Pam Koshut.

He is survived by his wife Debbie; his daughter Stefanie; his son Randy and daughter-in-law Kristine, his beautiful grandchildren Avery and Austin; and loving sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Mel and Art Johnson of Valencia, CA, Lisa and Bob Kalmbach of Piedmont, CA , brother in-law David Grubbs of Tehachapi, CA, brother-in-law Harry Beachler (Deanne) of Tempe, AZ, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, all of whom he adored. They have made the Uncle Bob hand jive a family tradition.

The family is thankful for the compassionate health care Bob received over the years, especially from Dr. Gayle Cekada. Donations may be made to the following charities (or the charity of your choice): French Hospital (The Wacker Technology and Innovation Fund), 1911 Johnson Ave., SLO, CA 93401, Rotary Club of SLO Charities, P.O. Box 833, SLO, CA 93406, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 490 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402.

A Celebration of Life will be held at La Lomita Ranch, 1985 La Lomita Way, SLO, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.