BOMBER MEMORIAL

ROBERT EUGENE "BOB" WEDBERG ~ Class of 1965
October 3, 1947 - August 10, 2005

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The excitement was just too much, Bob Wedberg suffered a massive heart attack and died suddenly on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at the age of 57 while watching one of his beloved care races on television.

Bob was born to Bill and Leona Wedberg on October 3, 1947 in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1951 his parents packed him and their belongings and set out for Richland where he went to school attending Spalding Grade School, Chief Jo Junior High School and graduating with the Class of 1965 from Richland's Columbia High School.

A tour of duty in the U. S. Air Force followed during which he flew the maximum allowable combat missions over Vietnam. Upon his discharge Bob enrolled at Columbia Basin College where he met his sweetheart of 33 years, Becky. They dated through college and graduated together from Eastern Washington University and married shortly thereafter on June 29, 1974.

Bob retired from the Kennewick School District in June 2004 after teaching several years in elementary school and many years teaching math at Highlands Middle School.

His sudden and unexpected death left a void in his friends' and families' lives that can't be filled. He was a kind, caring and loving friend to all. Bob never met a stranger and could visit with anyone and make a new friend. Bob was always there to help with any situation. He was a special, humble man who never bragged about himself but was so proud of his loved ones.

Bob and Becky recently moved to their dream home and had traveled across the country to visit family and friends this summer. Their retirement dreams were cut short, but the memories of Bob will last forever.

He was a lifelong member of the Independent Order of Foresters. He served as an officer in the local Atomic Branch for many years and at the regional level for 20 years, including a four-year term as High Chief Ranger (President). Bob was rewarded in 2001 for his outstanding service by receiving an award at the International level called the Grand Cross Legion of Honor. There can be no more than 100 living recipients of the award.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Becky; his brother, Bill Wedberg ('70); and his sister-in-law, Barb O'Malley Wedberg ('70).

He also leaves a loving extended family that includes: Barb Mansfield, Butch and Sharon Hall, Odie Mansfield; and Ted and Peggy Mansfield; 18 nieces and nephews; and 20 great-nieces and great-nephews who lost their favorite uncle and will miss him dearly.

Family celebrations will have an empty place at the table and in our hearts.

Funeral services were at 11am on August 15, 2005 at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home at 1401 S. Union Street in Kennewick. A private family burial followed at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to one of the following: ACES, P.O. Box 1253, Richland, WA 99352; Sugar Free Kids Summer Camp for Diabetics, c/o Shelly Hawks, P.O. Box 557, Benton City, WA 99320; or to the American Heart Association, 4410 Woodland Park Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on August 12-14, 2005.

NOTE:

His father, Bill, passed away March 26, 1984.

His mother, Leona, passed away September 28, 1996.

His brother, Bill ('70), passed away March 29, 2019.





Bomber Memorial put together by Maren SMYTH ('63 and '64) and edited by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).