Robert Wert

Robert Wert, 79, peacefully went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, March 23, 2009, in Phoenix, AZ. He was born September 14, 1929, in Chicago, IL. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marilyn; sons Jim & his wife Debbie and Dale & his wife Mary; grandchildren, Jacob Wert, Rebecca Wert, Sarah Wert, and Matthew Wert; and step-grandchildren, Kristin Armbrust and Laura Armbrust. His son, Kenneth, preceded him in death. A celebration of his life will be held Monday, 10:30AM, at Hope Lutheran Church, 1345 Macon Street, Aurora, CO. Internment will follow at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Bob was born September 14, 1929 at St. Annes Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Clarence and Antonia Wert. He was born again with the waters of holy Baptism on February 23, 1930 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Decatur, Illinois. His sponsors were Alma Dodwell and Dorothea Hill. Bob confirmed the gifts of his baptism on April 18, 1943. His confirmation verse was Matthew 6:33 – ""Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."" As a child, Bob was involved in Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts. He was the ""Pancake King"", making pancakes from scratch over an open fire in a city-wide scout contest. He attended Luther Institute (now Luther North) in Chicago, Illinois. His first job was delivering ""The Downtown Shopping News"" on Saturdays and ""The Austinite"" newspaper every Wednesday morning. Bob's first real job was as a mail clerk for the Fred Harvey Corporation. Following high school, Bob attended Walton School of Commerce in Chicago. He was inducted into the US Army on February 27, 1951. He served for 2 years in the Finance Corp at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs and received an Honorable Discharge from the Army on February 28, 1953. He managed the World Wide Travel Agency in Colorado Springs from 1953-1956. Bob married Marilyn Berges on October 22, 1955 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Venango, Nebraska. Bob and Marilyn enjoyed over 53 years of marriage. Bob started work for the Prudential Insurance Company in 1956 in Colorado Springs, a job he would enjoy for 30 years. While he was with Prudential, he moved from Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City, and eventually to Aurora, Colorado. Bob was honored to be chosen to serve as the part-time Business Manager for the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Church in 1979. Later, this role expanded to a full time position and also included the position of Vice President of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund for the district. He continued to serve his church for 18 years in these positions. Bob enjoyed being involved in the church and Lutheran Schools. He served as Coordinator of Parochial School Education for the South Denver Circuit, on the Child Care Committee for the Lutheran Service Society, and for many years on the Board of Directors at Denver Lutheran High School. At his church, Hope Lutheran, in Aurora, Colorado, he served as Chairman of the Board of Elders, Board of Education, and Board of Trustees. He also served as Treasurer, Business Manager, and on the Board of Directors of the Hope Lutheran Day Care Center. Bob had many hobbies and interests including: • The beauty of God's Creation, especially the mountains of Colorado • Steam Engines and Trains, including listening to conductors on Amtrak between Denver and Chicago. • Cooking - although he hated doing dishes. Made the best hamburgers on the grill. • Trying different sauces and spices on his food • Fishing in Colorado, Northern Minnesota, and Canada. Became a ""Master Angler"" Walleye Fisherman while on a Canadian Fishing Trip • Hunting pheasants in northeastern Colorado on the Berges farm. • Chicago Cubs Baseball. He was an avid Cubs fan and said, ""This was their year"" • Traveling (Barbados, St. Lucia, Aruba, Martinique, Jamaica, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Hawaii, Bahamas, Alaska (even to the Arctic Circle), Australia, and New Zealand.) • Wonderful family vacations, many by car across several states. While is mother and aunts were still alive, he including them as part of the family vacation • History, particularly American history. • News, particularly newspapers. Bob was an avid newspaper reader (subscribed to Ely Echo (Ely, MN), Julesburg Advocate (Julesburg, CO), Rocky Mountain News). Also followed the news of the Holyoke Enterprise, Colorado Springs Gazette, Chicago Tribune, Arizona Republic, Washington Post, The Northern Light, The Lutheran Reporter, and The Lutheran Witness. • Favorite stores and restaurants in different states (Russell's BBQ, Johnnie's Beef of Elmwood Park, IL for Italian Beef, Oberweis Dairy Ice Cream, Zup's Grocery Store in Ely, MN, Russ Kendall's Smoked Fish, Betty's Pie • The Lutheran church and talking about it with others • Pipe Organ music • Listened to WELY from Ely, MN over the internet to hear to ""The Polka Pal Don Show"" on Saturday mornings. • Enjoyed Garrison Keillor's stories about Lake Wobegon Please share memories of Bob and condolences for his family by clicking the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab below.