Robert 'Bob' Wegner
January 5, 1921 - 2026
Within this 'Tribute website', I'll refer to my Dad as Bob... since that's what everybody else called him ; ) He was truly a card-carrying member of The Greatest Generation. Bob lived to be 105 years old and peacefully passed away on May 16, 2026 in Irvine, CA.
Perhaps one of my most prized 'artifacts' of Bobs - an early teenage sketchbook of various types of boats. I produced a 30"x 20" poster of a few of the sketches (around 2010). He kept the poster in his room at his Board & Care residence in Irvine, CA .
Bob's father (and my grandfather), Ewald Wegner was blinded in WWI. It certainly didn't stop him from an active life and instilling a 'can do attitude' into Bob.
Ewald and Nettie Wegner in their Cambridge St., Orange, CA House
A 1940 Plymouth Coupe complete with a rumble seat! I don't see Bonnie but I'm certainly getting a 'Clyde Barrow vibe' from the guy behind the wheel.
Mom and Dad at an Officer's Club Dinner in Zaragoza AFB, Spain (circa 1966)
Bob and Peggy Wegner (San Clemente, CA,circa 2000)
Bob's second wife (decd.1/2020) and my Step-mother Peggy (Lonski) Wegner. Note: A wonderful portrait (I believe) was orchestrated by her eldest daughter, Teri Lonski.
Peggy Wegner and the Lonski Family, San Clemente, CA
left to right - Lori Lonski (Nichols), Teri Lonski (Wiebel). Ted Lonski, Peggy Lonski (Wegner), John Lonski
Ewald (Father), Nettie (Mother) and a young Bob (circa early 1940s)
A photo at the very modest weekend house in Balboa Island, Newport Beach, CA - owned by Bob's Mom and Dad. They used it as a weekend getaway and according to some sketchy history, it was bought for $1,800 and sold in the early 50's for $15,000.
Bob built this equisite hardwood/inlayed table for his mother Nettie for use in her regular bridge games. It was a forebearer of his later skills as a woodworker as the table was his Wood Shop 'Senior Project' at Orange High School, Orange, CA.
Note: the original Orange HIgh School he attended was the current historical 'quad area' of what is now Chapman University. I attended the newer Orange High built in 1953 from 1968-1970.
I 'crewed' for my dad down at Dana Point, CA back in the 80's when he had his sailboat and boat slip. We used to race in the 'Beer Can Regattas' (afternoons on weekends). At the time, the sleek fast 'J Boats' were the envy of all other sailors. Thankfully they were in another class otherwise all us non-J-Boaters would've been racing for fifth or sixth place. These 'bass-relief' carvings he produced were an homage to those beautiful sailing vessels (originally produced in Newport Beach, CA).
Bob's father's radio. I remember listening to Dodger Games on it with my Grandfather. Like everything, Bob got his hands on, it was totally refurbished and remains in excellent working order to this day.
Bob's first "academic art class" was a night school class he took while attending Fullerton JC. When I asked about using a roll of toilet paper as subject matter, he replied "I thought it'd be' funny". I'd call it very early Pop Art!
Slide Rule
His first slide rule used for Trigonometry class at Fullerton JC. Now when was the heyday of slide rulers again? Another 'historical artifact' of his that was kept in mint shape and when he gave it to me, of course he still had the original case and the manual for it.
Note: My Dad was always pushing me towards math in school. As a Senior in high school (or a freshman in college), 'Trig' was the last math class I took. Totally uninterested, I somehow 'passed the class' and after that, I emphatically told him "no más, no más...on the math front".
Sister Marilyn and Bob (Gilette, New Jersey- late 1920s)
Married to my Uncle Bill Huscroft, Aunt Marilyn (Huscroft) passed away in 2015 and is survived by her three children and my first cousins - Marilyn, Suzi and Bill Jr.
Sister Marilyn (Wegner) Huscroft (1922 - 2015)
As I youngster, I always will remember Marilyn's (Bob's sister) wonderful Holiday dinners (usually on Thanksgiving Day). She also graciously gave my wife Carol, her first job in teaching as a elementary school T.A.
Cal 25 Sailboat, Dana Point , CA
Bob's first sailboat (a Cal 25) which he sold a couple years later upgrading to a Cal 27. Mark, Bob, Carol and Jane Wegner on-board. I have fond memories of our numerous sailing trips to Avelon Harbor on Catalina Island, CA.
Note: My Mother Jane, didn't mind putt'n around the harbor, but was not a fan of higher speeds out in the open sea ; )
Iron Range AFB, Australia - B-24
A group photo of his B-24 squadron (one of twelve planes) from the 90th Bomber Group which was engaged in the WWII Pacific Campaign (circa 1943). He retired as a Lt. Colonel from USAF in the mid-sixites. Note: I always had 'to pry' his WWII, B-24 Pilot stories out of him.
Bob with Candy for Kids, Zaragoza, Spain
This photo is a real fav and I love his look of being slightly overwhelmed. Occassionally he and friends (while visiting small villages near Zaragoza) would always be in tow with bags of candy for the kids.
Jane Wegner - Ed and Peggy Markham
Long time friends of Bob and Jane's - who were stationed in Zarogoza, Spain with them. Ed Markham was a P-51 pilot in WWII and later in life, a golf pro in Riverside County, CA.
Note: Ed was also my first (real) golf teacher.
The Wegners, Havens and Jocolicks - 1953
Really (long time) friends Bob and Betty Haven were stationed at Chanute Air Force Base (Rantoul, IL) along with Bob and Jane . Back row: Jane Wegner, Betty Haven. Front Row: Bob Wegner, Bob Haven, Mr. & Mrs. Jocolick.
Note: I was born at Chanute AFB ('51') as was the Haven's youngest child Bob Haven (jr) ('53). He and I were reunited during our Jr. High days in Southern California years later and remain great friends to this day.
U.S. Air Force Medals
A few of the medals from his career in the Air Force including the Distinquished Flying Cross. He mentioned the one he was actually the proudest of was 'his silver wings'. The 'wreath around the star' designated those who met the higher qualifications established for a Command Pilot rating. A World War II veteran and B-24 Combat Pilot, Bob retired from the USAF in 1966 as a Lt. Colonel and commander of the weather station in Zaragoza, Spain after 20 years of service.
Chris-Craft (19' cabin cruiser). Orange, CA
As a young teenager, our family were all surprised when Bob came home one day with a couple used but very clean, significant items. A 19' foot Chris-Craft, twin outboard cabin cruiser and a late model 442 Oldsmobile (to haul the boat with). My brother David (who was heavily into cars by then), was seriously impressed that he'd buy a bonafied 'muscle car'. The Old's numeric branding of a '442' stood for 400 cubic inches, 4 barrel carburater and a dual exhaust. It had some real 'get-up and go'!
Chevron Research Career
After retirement from the Air Force and a little time off, Bob started a new career working for Standard Oil. He was hired as a junior programmer, working at the research center in La Habra, CA. He advanced quickly migrating to the Geo-Thermal exploration/division. He was then using state of the art (color) 'plotters' and would bring me large, color, semi-abstract print-outs I'd hang on my wall! Perhaps some of my earliest instances of contemporary art appreciation!
A few Houses from the past
A) Bob's Parents Cambridge St. Orange, CA.
B) Hoover Street House, Orange, CA (during my Jr. and Snr. High School days).
C) Rantoul, Chanute AFB) - on-base housing...and my birthplace)
Painting: Sailboat Reggatta - Dana Point, CA - Oil on canvas 30" x 24"
Bob feels this is probably his favorite painting and was especially proud of the 'waves rendering'. I recognize that looming fog bank that always seemed to hang around Dana Point when we were out there sailing.
Painting: Beach-Sea shore - Location Unknown, Oil on canvas 34" x 22"
David Wegner
A couple portraits I took of my brother David Wegner (1945-2002). Undoubtedly like many older brothers, David was a constant inspiration to me with his varied interests and skill sets. We were 6 years apart in age and David targically passed away way too early at age 57 from complications from an earlier car accident.
No doubt a proud moment when my brother David was part of a Europe-wide 'Boy Scouts (Explorers) group' that met with General Lauris Norstad, Supreme Allied Commander of Europe at the time. Circa 1966. Note: The 'Explorer Scouts' were the next tier above Eagle Boy Scouts.
Bob with Grandchildren, San Clemente,CA
Rob and Kaci Wegner
An early scratch-built model (sectional half-view) of the Wegner family fishing boat moored at the Balboa house. The boat was named the 'MariBob' - a wordplay combining the name of his sister Marilyn and himself. Model built in 1939 when Bob was 18.
Bob's workshop in his and Peggy Wegner's San Clemente home was a hobby sanctuary later in life and there was always a couple 'dry-docked' boat model projects in the works. Note: Also the site of a garage freezer where he hid his beloved 'chocolate stash'
This C-123 model was among the last planes he flew while in the Air Force which also incuded C-47's and C-119s (Flying Box Car). It's a gorgeous model, carved to exacting proportions (balsa and hardwoods).
I had seen this old photo before but never realized he built it. I should have known and when I queried him about it, he said he found some rowboat plans and just 'sawed & hammered it out' from there. He added it was an effective 'cruising vehicle' around the Balboa bay trolling for girls.
Cutty Sark, (Scratch-built Wooden Model)
40w" x 28h" x 20d"
Of all Bob's models this is the one I consider his masterpiece and I was extemely fortunate when he gifted it to me. After it's original construction, he left it unpainted that resulted in a classic blonde-on-blonde sculptural appearance. When I asked why he never painted it, he replied "it just didn't seem to need it".
"Sloppy Joes" Bar in Havana Cuba
Bob and Squadon members on R&R at the infamous "Sloppy Joes Bar" in Havana, Cuba. A classic image, complete with a group toast and glass of champagne for each member in the photo.
'Prissie'
Prissie (a Palmeranian/Toy Collie mix) was the only family pet I remember growing up. We had her during his assigment in Zaragoza, Spain. Bob always had a knack for nicknames and Prissie was dubbed 'Shoebox'.
Note: my brother David and I were 'effectionately nicknamed 'meathead and meathook'.
Shark Sculptures (1 of 3)
Teri Lonski's husband, Dan Wiebel received one of the shark sculptures and discovered it made a unique business card holder for his office. I followed his lead with the one I received!
First set of Air Force Wings
Bob was 21 at the time and had already acquired his pilots license. He learned to fly at the Orange County Fairgounds in Costa Mesa, CA before enlisting in the Army Air Corps.
Bob's Journals, Irvine, CA
Bob for several years, after transitioning to a full 'board & care' facility, was earnestly keeping daily journals. They were primarily notes about routines of his daily life, tv shows he watched and plenty of humorous comments and critques of the meals and staff.
Bob Wegner's Autobiography
Milestones, highlights and annecdotes from 1921 to 2005 in Bob's own words. Read it here at https://markwegner.com/bob/bob-biography/
Note: Bob ended the bulk of his written autobiography when he was 75 years old. He added some additional 'milestone entries' in 2005.
Even he probably didn't dream he'd still be going along 30 years later. He lived quite a life and (remarkably) remained in good health through his 90s and into the early 100s. I put this website together 15 years ago, shortly after he turned 90 (thinking, well....I better get moving along on this project ; ) He was the easiest going guy anyone could hope to meet and was always ready to lend a helping hand! A great Dad (although perhaps aided by the fact that my mother was the 'family enforcer')Always a welcoming friend to many, his was a life well lived (and enjoyed), to say the least!
Last updated by Mark Wegner, 2026