Robert Welch Obituary

Robert Marvin Welch Died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 28, after a 12-year courageous battle with multiple myeloma cancer. Bob was born in Dawson, MN, August 12, 1936 to Marvin and Leona Welch. Bob attended Dawson schools and was active in Boy Scouts, church activities, and athletics. He attended Augsburg College on athletic scholarship. Bob served as team captain in football both his junior and senior years, and was a Little All-American candidate. Bob married Martha Mattson in 1956 and they had two daughters, Robertta and Pamella. Bob enjoyed a successful and rewarding 38-year career in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Bob first taught in Round Lake, MN before moving to CA in 1960 where he taught in Burlingame. He spent 35 years at Hoover School, Franklin School, and Burlingame Intermediate School (BIS). Under Bob's leadership as Principal of BIS, the school was recognized as one of the first Distinguished Schools in CA. BIS was selected by the National Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development as one of 25 schools in the nation to develop plans to become a model middle school. Bob served on the original state committee that wrote "Caught in the Middle," a blue print for change in the middle school level. Under his leadership, BIS served as a mentor for schools up and down the state. In 1982, Bob became a founding member and served as president for two years of the California League of Middle Schools, an organization that grew to 40,000 members. He also served as a liaison to the Association of California High Schools. In 2007, Bob received the "Wall of Fame" recognition from the Burlingame School District for outstanding service to the children and community of Burlingame. In 1995, Bob retired from the Burlingame School District and took a position as Principal of Middle School at Hong Kong International School. He served in this position until soon after he was diagnosed with thyroid and multiple myeloma cancer. Bob and Martha returned to their Burlingame home in July of 1998. They continued to enjoy their love of travel, their involvement with Hope Lutheran Church (San Mateo), and avid support of their grandchildren's activities. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Martha. Their daughter Bobbi and her husband Bob Merrill and their two daughters, Jessi and Zoe, live in Arcata. Bob and Martha's daughter Pam and her husband Mike Bacciocco and their son and daughter, Christopher and Katelyn, live in San Carlos. Bob is also survived by his sister Donna Weibel and her husband Dean of Wayzeta, MN, sister Carol Langness and her husband Gary of Lilydale, MN, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Blessed be his memory. Friends are invited to a memorial service and celebration of Bob's life on Friday, April 9th at 11:00, at Hope Lutheran Church in San Mateo, 600 West 42nd Avenue. Memorial gifts may be given to IMMF, Augsburg College Athletic Dept., Hope Lutheran Church, or HKIS.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Apr. 4, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Welch

7 Entries

Yuke-Meng Tan

December 15, 2010

I heard Robert Welch's parting words to the graduating middle school pupils of HK International School, my older daughter being amongst them, just before he left Hong Kong upon learning of his ailment. He stated that the purpose of education was to enable a child to acquire the discernment to know what was right & good from what was wrong & bad (in this, Christians are to be guided by the Bible), the wisdom to choose that which was right and good, and the courage to stand by that choice. I thank God for the privilege of having received that insight and wise counsel from Robert at a time when I struggled as a parent. His words have shaped how I have parented my children since; and the same words have been passed on by me over the years as a compass of wisdom from my daughter's former principal to other struggling parents. Now, my older daughter is a fervent Christian pursuing her PhD at Scripps Research Institute on a scholarship; my younger daughter is also a fervent Christian in her final year at the Australian National University, also admitted through a scholarship. I mention them here because Robert Welch had contributed immeasurably to the shaping of my children's lives and their success with his words - words of life. I am grateful to him for his work not only among his innumerable pupils, but also the parents of his pupils, like my husband and me. I am honoured to count myself as his 'student'. It is my older daughter who relayed to me the news today that Mr Welch had gone home to the Lord, following our recent dialogue on education when we found ourselves again quoting Robert Welch. My deepest appreciation to his family & friends who had supported and sustained him throughout his impactful career. He had blessed my family. Thank you.

Monica Scanlan Steinberger

April 11, 2010

The Welch family has always been close to my heart.
The most loving family in Burlingame. With Mr. Welch's leadership in the Burlingame schools his love was brought to his fellow administrators, teachers, parents and students. Everyone looked up to Mr. Welch as an example of a fine man with outstanding character, belief in the human spirit, and always looking for the positive in every person he met. I was privileged to know him, to know his family and to go through BIS after he had made his mark on that wonderful middle school. Thank you Welch family for sharing him with all of us in the community. My heart and prayers go to you as you grieve his loss.

Debbie Fena

April 9, 2010

Heaven has another angel! He was a wonderfully loving man. I do remember him as the compassionate man he was during my time at Hoover and BIS. My condolences to his family. May you have peace in his memories.

April 7, 2010

Mr. Welch embodied the spirit of education and learning that provided Burlingame with outstanding leadership and commitment to the children of the city. His dedication to the students and the community lives in the legacy of the model programs he developed and nurtured. He will be missed as an educator. To the Welch, Merrill, and Baccioccio families, my deepest sympathy in your loss. Condolences, Virginia Levy - Los Angeles

April 6, 2010

With love and prayers for Martha and the children, and other family members. The distance of years has not diminished the admiration for a great man. His race has ended, but he will be remembered always.

God bless you all!

Kent and Mary Ewing - HKIS

Elizabeth Peter

April 6, 2010

Sending my thoughts and prayers to Mr. Welch's family. He will always be rememebered as a wonderful principal! I was fortunate to have him at Hoover and BIS!

Yukari Kita Chamberlain

April 5, 2010

Our prayers are with you and your family. Bob Welch was loved and respected by parents, teachers, students, and the whole community. He was a mentor for me as a student at Franklin and BIS. He taught me to believe in myself and not let my fears get in the way with what I wanted. One of my fondest memories at BIS was seeing his smiling face every morning when I would lead the Pledge of Allegiance on the intercom. Mr. Welch you were the best Principal I had and you will be missed dearly.

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