Robert F. Wessler

Robert F. Wessler, 92, of Sullivan, Missouri passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 2, 2022, three days after celebrating his birthday at Meramec Nursing Center.

Bob was known as Bobby when he was growing up. Bobby’s family moved to Sullivan from St. Louis when he was just three years old. Despite growing up in the worst years of the Great Depression, he remembers these earlier years as both active and adventuresome. During this time, he began to make friends, and never really stopped. His friendships then lasted a lifetime. Bobby was handsome, tall, outgoing, and had an uncanny ability to remember names, dates and locations. In time, he was elected President of his high school class. His class, the class of 1949, endowed one of only two ongoing annual scholarships for deserving high school seniors, and Bob was named administrator. He was very proud of his class and the scholarship, and was instrumental in organizing the class annual reunion.

After High School, and a short try at working in the oil fields around Houston, Texas, Bob returned to Sullivan. As the United States was then building up for the Korean War, he decided to join the military, and enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training and specialty school completion, Bob felt like he could make a career of the Air Force. He took a short leave to propose to the love of his life, Ann Marie Ellison. They were married and spent the next twenty-five years traveling all over the world, usually as a family, sometimes by Bob alone. His sons Jim and Tony experienced the never-ending delight of the many moves and the memories they brought. To retain these memories, Bob bought a camera, and was rarely seen without one close at hand.

Retiring from the Air Force, Bob and Ann moved back to their hometown of Sullivan. His popularity and the friendships he had maintained over the years helped him win election to the seat on the Municipal Court of Sullivan where he then had a new name, Judge Wessler.

Bob also became active in local politics and fraternal organizations. He was a life-long Rotarian and was named the secretary of the local branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Finally, after truly retiring, Bob and Ann enjoyed traveling, and almost always did so with other couples. After moving so often in the Air Force, they took great pride in maintaining the yard of their permanent home. Mainly, they looked forward to visits from their grandchildren and, eventually, great grandchildren. ‘Grandpa Bob’ became his FINAL name, and the one for which he was most proud.

For those who knew him his whole life, or simply as an acquaintance, he will be missed.

Bob is survived by his two sons, Tony Wessler and wife Annie of Sullivan, MO and Jim Wessler and wife Kris of Yorktown, VA; grandchildren: Jacob Wessler and wife Tricia of Suffolk, VA, Anna Meyer and husband Erik of Philadelphia, PA, Matt Wessler and wife Carley of Richmond, VA, Jennifer Stroud and husband Chris of Kansas City, MO, and Rebecca Rowold and husband John of Johannesburg, South Africa; 11 great-grandchildren; former daughter-in-law and mother of two granddaughters, Wanda Wessler of Kansas City, MO; Julie Patterson of Sullivan, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann and his father, Elmer H. Wessler, and mother and step-father, Zelma and Bob Marvin.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be 12 noon-2 p.m., Saturday, October 15 at Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan.

Memorial contributions can be made in Bob’s memory to “Class of 1949 Scholarship” or The Sullivan Rotary Club.

Friends may send their online condolences to Bob’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

All arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.