Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend of many, passed into his future world, joining his eldest son, Wesley Owen Weirbach (1987) and his youngest son, William Blaine Weirbach (2007) in eternal rest.
Bob was born in Los Angeles on May 8, 1919 to parents Anna Lynn and Owen Albert Weirbach. Preceded in death by his brother Owen Walter (1918), Bob was raised as an only child. Bob enjoyed his early years playing baseball and being active in the YMCA. His love for the YMCA nearly became his career choice. He completed his undergraduate work at UCLA with a background in mathematics, but went on to study at Boston University School of Theology where he competed the training for his life’s work and passion. He chose the Methodist Church because of its close affiliation with the YMCA. Fully ordained as a Methodist Minister in 1944 he served his first parish as an Assistant Pastor in Tucson, AZ that same year.
Bob met the love of his life, a local school teacher, Nancy Holtzclaw shortly after arriving in Tucson. He proposed within weeks, but married her after he teaching contract ended (marriage would have voided her contract), in June of 1945. Bob went on to serve parishes in Williams, AZ, Riverside, CA (2 times – once as a District Superintendent), Canoga Park, CA, Escondidio, CA, and finally Santa Barbara, CA where he served from 1977 until he retired in 1984. Retirement did not come easy for Bob, so he continued to do what he enjoyed most, calling on shutins and ill members of the church community.
In October of 1984 Bob helped start the first Chaplaincy at Valle Verde Retirement Community. When the position was expanded to full-time Bob continued serving Valle Verde on a part-time basis in the Activities Department. Following his time at Valle Verde he continued his ministry serving as Minister of Visitation at the First United Methodist Church for several more years, fully retiring in 2005.
• Bob’s father was a baseball player, who at one time planned to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers — appendicitis prevented him from making the try-outs. Bob has always been a great fan of the Dodgers; the tradition continues with his children.
• Bob played fast pitch softball on the men’s church team in Riverside during the early 50’s. Nancy would cheer him on from the stands, shouting, “He preaches better when the pews are full, he pitches better when the bases are loaded.”
• When their son, Blaine, was born with Down Syndrome in 1955, Bob and Nancy became active in the San Fernando Valley Association for Retarded Children (now The Arc). Bob served as one of its early presidents.
• Bob worked long and varied hours; his oldest daughter was in college before she knew he had a day off on Mondays. His youngest daughter didn’t even know he took a day off. Despite his many hours of work none of his children ever wanted for his love and attention. He helped with evening baths, attended school functions and every graduation.
• Summer vacations camping at Huntington Lake and Yosemite were family favorites as were long trailer trips across the country.
• A sweet, caring, loving husband, he raised his children with equal amounts of love and caring discipline and guidance. His family was blessed to have been a part of his life.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Nancy, and his children: Lynn (Howard) Hudson of Santa Barbara, Bob (Una) Weirbach of Broken Arrow, OK, and Nancy (Gary) Linford of Sunnyvale, CA. He is survived by 7 grandchildren: Andrew (Dayna) Hudson, Edward (Tara) Hudson, Lisa Linford, Melissa Weirbach, Janelle Linford, Nate Linford and Wes Weirbach, as well as one great-grandchild, Parker Hudson.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 305 E. Anapamu, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels. Please leave online condolences at www.wrhsb.com
