Robert Wagner
Just Bob
It was the question around town his kids would hear the most when people heard their last name was Wagner.
“Are you Butch Wagner’s kid?” they would ask. The kids would politely tell them their dad was Bob Wagner. Not Butch, the legendary sports editor of the Sandusky Register. We all loved Uncle Butch, but it bothered Bob’s son Mike that his dad seemed to live in his uncle’s shadow. So, one day, Mike asked his dad if this bothered him too. “I love being Butch’s brother. Why would that bother me?” he said. “I’m happy being just Bob.”
On the afternoon of Nov. 4, after 81 years, Robert “Bob” John Wagner moved on to Heaven to be with his beloved daughter, Laurie. After years of fighting off more health problems than we can count, Bob passed peacefully in his Sandusky home surrounded by his family.
He would proudly tell you he made it as long as he did because of one person. There would be no Bob without Carol. His wife of 55 years was the hero. She cared for him night and day and kept him going longer than anyone thought possible.
They raised three kids – Laurie, Mark and Mike – in a big, old green house on Cooke Street close enough to Sandusky St. Mary’s that they could walk to school. Carol took care of things at home while Bob got up every morning at 5 a.m. and went to work at the local Ford factory for nearly 40 years.
Bob never complained – never. In fact, there was rarely a day in Bob’s life when he didn’t greet anyone and everyone with a smile, a hug, a joke or a comment to make them feel better about themselves.
He was never too tired to play catch with the neighborhood kids. He gave whatever money he had in his pocket to whoever needed it most. He never really wanted anything except for those he loved to be happy.
He coached basketball for years even before his own kids started playing. He spent hundreds of hours volunteering for St. Mary’s dealing cards at festivals, running bingo games or selling raffle tickets. And once, he even spent a week walking on top of 8-feet of snow to deliver food to the elderly after the worst blizzard in state history.
And OK – we lied a little.
He did want a few things.
To beat Butch and his life-long buddies in poker every Monday night at the Knights of Columbus.
To see his favorite teams – the Browns, Indians, Buckeyes and Fighting Irish – win games.
To watch his grandkids – Austin, Cooper, Izzy, Kyle and Mitch – hit a home run or score a goal or drain a three-pointer.
He also loved to twist on dance floor, drink a scotch and water in between frames at the bowling alley, and make a good, rare steak off the grill disappear in about 30 seconds. But most of all, he just wanted to spend time with Carol and be the best husband, father and Pops/Papa he could be.
If you measure a man’s legacy by wealth or stature, Bob isn’t very high on the list. But if you measure it by kindness and compassion for others, Bob is the list.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Dorothy Wagner; his sisters, June and Mary Lou; his brother, Butch; and his daughter, Laurie.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; his son, Mark (partner, Stacey); his son, Mike (wife, Kristy); grandkids Austin (wife, Amber), Mitch, Kyle, Izzy and Cooper; and his sister-in-law, Ruth.
The family would like to thank the amazing and devoted nurses from Stein hospice for helping Carol care for Bob.
Friends may call on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E. Perkins Ave., Sandusky. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky. Father Jacob George will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky.
In lieu of flowers, to honor Bob, hold a door open for a stranger, over-tip a server or organize a poker game with your friends.
We will all miss you, Bob.