Robert Wayne Wendel

Robert Wayne Wendel Robert Wayne Wendel of Bastrop, Texas, died in his sleep, Saturday evening, November 24, 2012, after a long battle with a brain tumor. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Susan Weems Wendel, his daughter, Jessica Wendel Doehling and son-in-law, Matthew, son, Sean Marcus Neighbours and daughter-in- law, Abbie, and daughter, Sarah Neighbours Arthur, and son-in-law, Clinton and seven beautiful granddaughters, Gianna, Riley, Cecilia, Allison, Mia, Laura, and Aislin. He was preceded in death by his son, Billy Robert Wendel, his siblings, Roger, Marilyn and Sandra and parents, Mervin and Lorraine Aas. Bob was a multi-faceted man, starting in the ninth grade as a very successful athlete in the wrestling ring and was named Minnesota High School State Champ in 1963. He then went on to college where he was an All American 1964-1967 at Mankato State University and his team was NCAA Champion in 1964-65. After teaching the sport and coaching high school wrestling for 10 years, he made his living in the financial services industry for 35 years, starting in Minnesota, New York and then Texas in 1983, helping thousands of public employees prepare for retirement. His favorite problem to handle was when a county employee from Minnesota would call to ask, "Now I'm retired, what do I do with all this money?" His hobbies included riding Harley Davidsons through the Hill Country, killing feral hogs (85 in 2010-2011), raising quarter horses, playing with his granddaughters and teaching them to ride horses. But, because he was so competitive, raising quarter horses soon became another major focus, raising 3 world champion cutting horses and becoming one of the most respected breeders in the industry. He loved living in Texas and building ranches and he will be missed. A memorial service will be held January 3, 2013, at 10AM, at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home located at 2079 Hwy 71 E in Bastrop so that some of his 7 brothers and sisters of the original 11 and his many friends and co-workers from around the country can attend. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Family Crisis Center in Bastrop in his name. Thank you, Texas, for welcoming this Yankee into your fold and letting him feel like he was a real Texan.