Robert L. Wetherholt

I lost Bob, my partner in life for 27 years, on June 13, 2020 in Bastrop, TX after a long battle with peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, culminating in the most loving compassionate care possible from Silverado Hospice in our home. Bob was born in Evanston, IL, on December 5, 1943 and lived primarily in Michigan and later California, where he earned BS and MEd degrees from San Jose State University. Bob’s passions were people and teaching, with some football coaching thrown in. He derived his greatest pleasure from helping others, particularly young people.

I’ll let Bob’s three sons share his story:

One son has described his Dad as “funny, silly, strong, smart, like a giant kid at times, who just so happened to also be my father...a great dad” when he was young. Then alcoholism entered the picture and changed his Dad and their relationship. Bob sank into his addiction, finally moving to Texas for treatment with an AA 12-step program. On getting sober himself, Bob loved serving as sponsor for other alcoholics, thereby combining his passions for people, teaching, and helping. He had found his calling! He stayed sober for 29 years until his death.

This son continues: “The most important lesson he left me is how he lived his life after everything fell apart. He could have completely given up and let the drink destroy him—but he didn’t. He had to go through some really hard times, but he eventually rebuilt his life. He taught me that it is never too late to change your course in life...I know these things to be true of my father: He loved people, he had a good heart, and he was a good man.“

Another son’s thoughts: “Dad...you always brought laughter to myself and all that I’ve gone through. I personally reached rock bottom, if it wasn’t for you, I would have been lost. You taught me how God is always on my side and give him my everyday struggles. I thank you for connecting me again with the higher power to take my stress away... I love you for the man you became and will cherish these conversations forever. Thank you and Godspeed dad.”

And Bob’s third son recalls: “Dad always had great stories and an amazing memory for detail, names, locations, etc. Dad never met a stranger and could carry on a conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime which was a great part of his character. This is one of the traits that has carried over to me and now my son. We always engage in conversations with strangers and make it a point to say ‘Hi.’ This is one of the things I will miss the most. He taught us love, caring, humor for sure, and last but not least, faith in God. He will be missed but we, his sons and grandsons, will carry on our name with pride and honor as he would want us to.”

Bob is survived by his wife Anne Herrington of Bastrop and three sons and their spouses: Michael (Karen), Scott (Jennifer), and Jeffrey (Dawn), as well as eight amazing grandchildren, all of southern CA. He is also survived by brother, John Wetherholt of Austin, TX and numerous beloved cousins and their spouses.

With COVID-19 resurging, we have no plans for a memorial. If desired, donations in Bob’s memory may be given to the non-profits Bastrop Food Pantry (bastropfoodpantry.org) or Bastrop Animal Rescue (bastropanimalrescue.org).