Robert Wiedis, 91, a kind and caring man filled with wonder and awe, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, December 16.
Bob was born in Santa Barbara, California and grew up in New York City. His early character development was influenced by a great Boy Scout troop in the Bronx. He attended Bronx Science High School, NYU and Stevens Institute.
Bob was blessed to have been married to his beloved Marcia for 52 years who predeceased him in 2004. They had three children, Mark (deceased in 1993), Dave (married to Miho Kahn), and Julie.
Bob had three distinct and successful careers. He was an engineer who worked in the aeronautic field for early space flights, and later became a Chartered Life Underwriter. In his fifth decade he earned his Masters Degree in Social Work and practiced as a family therapist with Catholic Family Charities. In He passionately sung Gilbert & Sullivan songs, loved classical music, politics, was an avid painter, and was endlessly curious about human nature and nature’s wonders. Never seen without a book in his hand, he had a zest for garage sales, Chinese food, dancing, gardening, animals, learning and life. In his 9th decade he still had a wicked tennis backhand and reveled in chess, ping-pong and riding his bike. His grandchildren, Kahn and Kiya Wiedis, affectionately called him “Boom Bob.” He was such a fun, loving grandfather that when Kahn was two years old, asked whether “Boom Bob was Santa Claus or God?” He shared a great interest in psychology with his best friend and older brother Dr. Donald Wiedis (married to Dottie), and together they completed their advanced studies of self-psychology. At the age of 81 he was blessed to enter into a wonderfully satisfying relationship with the adventurous Marcy Feldheim who persuaded him to spend some of his hard earned money to travel the world to over ten exotic countries. He is deeply loved and will be missed by his family and friends.
A time for sharing memories and stories and lunch will be held this Tuesday, December 19, at the Omega Diner at 12:00 pm.