Obituary

The Rev. Robert Carl Weissinger, known as Bob to family and friends, peacefully made his way into his restful and permanent home provided by our Lord God.

Bob Weissinger was born In San Antonio, Texas, on October 19, 1931, to parents William Jacob Weissinger and Jewel Daniel Weissinger. His family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, when Bob was two years old, where he graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1949. He married Betty J. Linebarger on August 31, 1951, and together they planned their future with the first step being they would both extend their education through college and a Master's degree. Bob was first, graduating from the University of Corpus Christi in 1955 and Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth in 1958 with a Master's Degree in Religious Education. During this time they were blessed with three children to complete their family.

Bob served many Baptist churches throughout Texas as Youth, Music or Education Director, and in many cases, serving in all three positions at once, often referred to as a 'combination man.' Bob's first church was Ben Bolt, Texas, where he served as pastor with wages of $2-3 dollars a week and as much love as one could put in fresh watermelon, corn, squash or a homemade pie, found in their car after the Sunday Service!

Bob served Baptist Churches in Corpus Christi, Bishop, Ft Worth, Dallas, Kerrville, Port Arthur, Abilene, and Waco. His final privilege of the Lord's service was at First Baptist Church in Abilene where he served as Church Administrator for nineteen years, retiring in 1994.

Bob was very creative in planning worship services, weekend retreats, and activities for college students. He organized an educational program for the teens in the neighborhood around our church in Waco. With the college students as tutors, the teens were able to get help in the high school classes that were most difficult for them. His joy to help others extended to community organizations to which he belonged.

His children perceived his kindness to others as he extended a hand in gratitude or honor and generosity to others he encountered. Bob loved people and expressed his gratitude to them for their service in the church and offered comforting words in their sorrow. Most of all was his acceptance of that particular individual. He was always there to listen and they trusted his integrity because he always stood up for what was right but at the same time, receive a reprimand if they were in the wrong! To them he was their hero and as young children witnessed their dad pulling a young man from a burning vehicle.

He loved to travel. Betty always wanted to go on a cruise, but he was reluctant, having grown up and going fishing with his dad on a small motor boat. His favorite explanation was "If I didn't take her, I'd never hear the end of it." So he planned the first cruise. After boarding the large ship, he exclaimed "My daddy's boat was never like this." And, the marriage lasted 69 years! Cruising became his favorite way to get away and relax.

His children and family saw him as a gifted singer who loved all music genres and sang with a voice always on pitch using his naturally talented baritone voice. When traveling, there was always an envelope of games and puzzles for each child prepared by their dad. Betty provided snacks and a list of songs to sing together. At home, when the children learned to play different instruments, the family would all sing together in the den. After a few minutes one of them would say, "Mom, why don't you go pop some popcorn?" Of course, they were right, as mom's talent was not in music!

Bob loved watching sports and going to games, especially the Baylor Bears. He and Betty had season tickets for all home games until the last two years when his health made it difficult to travel. He was an avid Handball player and would play with anyone who came on the court. One daughter tried to stay up with him but decided she couldn't replace the champ! He was the Waco YMCA Champion in several divisions. Bob loved a good joke and was quite the prankster, not only in planning pranks but participating in them!

Summer vacation to the family cabin in La Veta, CO, was the highlight of his life. He used his woodworking talents to make beds, tables, and lamps for the cabin. He climbed both of the Spanish Peaks, 12,683' East peak and the 13,626' West peak, fourteen times and acted as a guide to the many family and friends that visited in the summer. In later years he hiked in the Wahatoya Canyon near the cabin, had chocolate by the fireside, and snacks on the deck feeding the chipmunks.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Bob is survived by his wife, Betty, son Ron, daughter Deniece (Allison), Judy (Rich), and grandsons Ben (Catrina), Jake (Becky), Adam, Kurt, Jon-Erik, Brady, Andrew, and five great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to City Light Ministries, First Baptist Church of Abilene, The Noah Project, or to the donor's choice.