Robert "Bob" L. Weagel

Robert L. Weagel, 90, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021.  Memorial services will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD. Father John Fischer will be the celebrant. Music will be provided by Terry Weagel as the pianist.

Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown prior to the service on Saturday, July 17, 2021, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The family is requested to meet at the chapel by 9:30 a.m. for a family prayer service.

Robert L. (Bob) Weagel, son of Harry O. and Alice C. (Holland) Weagel was born on March 12, 1931, near South Shore, SD.   He graduated from Watertown High School in 1949, and worked on the family farm until 1955 when he moved to Texas to attend Texas Christian University.  While attending classes Bob worked full time as a technician for Convair and later for Bell Helicopter where he trained as a tool and die maker. 

In 1961, Bob left Watertown and the continental United States for the next 35 years and began a career that would carry him around the world where he worked for various military and defense contractors as a technical advisor/trainer and a security consultant.  His assignments included, Labrador, Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, and the entire Southeast Asia Theater of Operations for 11 ½ years during the Vietnam War. Bob began work in Alaska in 1974 and spent 23 years working in the field of transportation and security for the Alaska oil pipeline operation.

Bob married the former Maria H. Nguyen in 1968, while serving in Vietnam. They have two children, a son, Robert Von Weagel, who resides in Houston, TX, and a daughter, Donna Maria Weagel who resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, John Watson, and her sons Conrad (age 9) and Vincent (age 6).

Bob was an avid big game hunter and sport fisherman.  After retirement, Bob would return to Alaska every year to hunt and often served as a guide for hunting and fishing parties from the lower 48 states.

In 1997, Bob and Maria returned to Watertown where they dabbled in farming, recreational gardening and made wine from home-grown grapes. Bob remodeled an old barn into an entertainment center where they entertained their many friends and relatives. Bob was well known for his humor, his story telling abilities and his generous heart and was always willing to help others.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; by his sister, Harriet Chancellor; and by three brothers: Keith H. Weagel, Donald E. Weagel and Charles E. Weagel.

Bob is survived by his wife, Maria; his two children; two grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorials to Pheasants Forever.     www.pheasantsforever.org

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel   Watertown, Hayti, DeSmet and Bryant

www.crawfordosthus.com

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