BOBWEGNER Autobiography Link here (1921-2005)
b. January 5, 1921 - Present
Within this 'Tribute website', I'll refer to my Dad as Bob...since well...that's what I remember everybody else calling him ; )
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Sketch Book and Poster
Perhaps one of my most prized 'artifacts'. Bob's childhood sketchbook of various types of boats. I commermorated it for him by making a 30"x 20" poster of a few of the sketches around 2010. He still has a copy in his room at his Board & Care residence in Irvine, CA.
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Ewald Wegner Artifacts
Bob's father and my grandfather, Ewald Wegner was blinded in WWI. It certainly didn't stop him from an active life and instilling a 'can do attitude' into Bob.
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Jane and Bob Wegner (Zarogoza, Spain (circa 1966)
Mom and Dad at a Officer's Club Dinner at Zaragoza, AFB
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Bob and Peggy Wegner (San Clemente, CA,circa 2000)
My Step-mother Peggy (Lonski) Wegner and Dad. - A wonderful portrait orchestrated by Teri Lonski.
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com
Ewald (Father), Nettie (Mother) and a young Bob (circa early 1940s)

This was down at the very modest weekend house in Balboa Island, Newport Beach, CA - owned by Bob's Mom and Dad. It was used as a weekend and guest house according and some sketchy history reported that it was bought for $1,800 and sold in the early 50's for $15,000.
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com

Bob' first car - I think a 1940 Plymouth Coupe...with a rumble seat!

I don't see Bonnie but I'm certainly getting a 'Clyde Barrow vibe' from the guy behind the wheel.
Mark Wegner, Photographer - www.markwegner.com

Bridge Tablebuilt date???

Bob built this for his mother Nettie as a bridge (card game) table...and here's the kicker...this was his Senior Project (in wood shop) at Orange High School, Orange, CA. Note: the original Orange HIgh School he attended is the current historical 'quad area' of what is now Chapman University.
Bass Relief Wood Carving - J Boats

I 'crewed' for my dad down at Dana Point, CA back in the 80's when he had his sailboat and boat slip. We used to race in the 'Beer Can Regattas (afternoons on weekends). At the time, the sleek fast 'J Boats' were the envy of all other sailors. Thankfully they were in another class otherwise all us non-JBoaters would've been racing for fifth or sixth place. These 'bass-relief' carvings were an homage to those beautiful sailing vessels originally produced in Newport Beach, CA

Radio: Motorola from the 50's

Bob's father's radio. I remember listening to Dodger Games on it with my Grandfather. Like everything, Bob got his handson, it was totally refurbished and remains in excellent working order to this day.

Toilet Paper Charcoal Drawing

Bob's first "academic art class" art class which was a night school class he took while attending Fullerton JC. When I asked about toilet paper as subject matter, he replied "I thought it was funny". His own introduction to Pop Art!

Slide Rule

His first slide rule used for Trigonometry class at Fullerton JC. Now when was the heyday of slide rules again? Another 'historical artifact' of his that was kept in mint shape and when he gave it to me, of course he still had the original case and the manual for it. As a sidenote, he was always pushing me towards math in school. As a freshman in college, 'Trig' was the last math class I took. Somehow I 'passed the class' and after that, I emphatically told him "no más, no más...on the math".

Sister Marilyn and Bob (Gilette, New Jersey- late 1920s)

Married to my Uncle Bill Huscroft, Aunt Marilyn (Huscroft) passed away in 20?? and is survived by her three children and my first cousins - Marilyn, Suzi and Bill Jr.

Sister Marilyn (Wegner) Huscroft (age ??)

As I youngster, I always will remember Bob's sister Marilyn's wonderful Holiday dinners (usually on Thanksgiving Day). She also gave my wife Carol, her first job in teaching as a elementary school T.A.

Cal 25 Sailboat

Bob's first sailboat (Cal 2) which he soon sold and upgraded to a Cal 27. Mark, Carol, Bob and Jane Wegner on-board.

Iron Range AFB, Austrailia - B-24

A group photo of his squadron (one of twelve planes) from the 90th Bomber Group which was engaged in the WWII Pacific Campaign.

Bob with Candy for Kids, Zaragoza, Spain

This photo is a fav and I love his look of being overwhelmed. Occassionally he and friends while visiting small villages near Zaragoza would be in tow with bags of candy for the kids. He told me they always gave advanced knowlege when they were going to be in town.

U.S. Air Force Medals

A few of the medals from his career in the Airforce including the Distinquished Flying Cross. He mentioned the one he was actually the proudest of was 'his silver wings'. The wreath around the star designated those who met the higher qualifications established for a Command Pilot rating.

Chris-Craft ( 19' cabin cruiser)

As a young teenager, we were all surprise when he came home with a couple used but very clean items. A 19' foot Chris-Craft, twin outboard and a 442 Oldsmobile to haul the boat. David (heavily into cars by then) was impressed he'd come home with a bonafied 'muscle car'. The Old's numeric branding of a '442' stood for 400 cubic inches, 4 barrel carburater and a dual (2) exhaust.

Chevron Research Career

After retirement from the Air Force and a little time off, Bob started a new career working for Standard Oil. He was hired as a junior programmer, working at the research center in La Habra, CA. He advanced quickly migrating to the Geo-Thermal exploration/division.

Past Houses

A) Bob's Parents Cambridge St. Orange, CA. B) Hoover Street House, Orange, CA (during my Jr. and Sen. High School days). C) Rantoul, IL (Chanute AFB - on-base housing...and my birthplace)
Painting: Sailboat Reggatta - Dana Point, CA - Oil on canvas 30" x 24"

Bob feels this is probably his favorite painting and was especially proud of the 'waves rendering'. I recognize that looming fog bank that always seemed to hang around Dana Point when we were out there sailing.

David Wegner
A couple portraits I took of my brother David Wegner (1945-2002). Like most older brothers, David was an inspiration for me with his varied interests and a wide skill set.


Bob with Grandchildren Rob Wegner, Kaci Wegner

'The MariBob' (Fishing Boat)

Another Scratch-built model (done in a sectional half-view) of the family fishing boat. The boat was named the 'MariBob' - a wordplay combining the name of his sister Marilyn and himself. Built in 1939 when Bob was 18.
'The Boat Yard'

Bob's workshop in his San Clemente home was a sanctuary later in life and there was always a couple 'dry-docked' boat model projects in the works. Also the site of a garage freezer where he hid his beloved 'chocolate stash')
Air Force C-119 (Scratch-built Model)

This C-123 model was among the last planes he flew while in the Air Force. C-47's and C-119s (Flying Box Car). It's a gorgeous model, carved to exacting proportions (-balsa and hardwoods).
'Balboa Skimmer'
I had seen this old photo before but never realized he built it. I should have known and when I queried him about it, he said he found some rowboat plans and just 'hammered it out' from there. He added it was an effective 'cruising vehicle' around the Balboa bay trolling for girls.

Cutty Sark, (Scratch-built Wooden Model)
Include dimensions aa" x bb" x cc" Of all Bob's models this is the one I consider his masterpiece and no doubt how I ended up with it. Unpainted is has a classic blonde-on-blonde sculptural appearance. When I asked why he never painted it he replied "it just didn't seem to need it".

Peggy Wegner and the Lonski Family

left to right - Lori Lonski (Nichols), Teri Lonski (Wiebel). Ted Lonski, Peggy Lonski (Wegner), John Lonski

"Sloppy Joes" Bar in Havana Cuba

Bob and Squadon members on R&R at the infamous "Hungry Joes" Bar in Havana Cuba. A classic image, complete with 'the propped glass of champagne' for each member in the photo.
'Prissie'

Prissie (a Palmeranian mix) was the only family pet I remember growing up. We had her during his assigment in Zaragoza, Spain. Bob always had a knack for nicknames and Prissie was 'effectionately' known as 'Shoebox'. In a sidenote, my brother David and I were know as meathead and meathook.
Shark Sculptures (1 of 3)
Teri Lonski's husband, Dan Wiebel received one of the shark sculptures and discovered it made a unique business card holder for his office. I followed his lead with the one I received!
Explorer Scout, David Wegner
No doubt a proud moment when David was part of a Europe-wide group that met with General Lauris Norstad, Supreme Allied Commander of Europe at the time. Circa 1966. Note: The 'Explorer Scouts' were the next tier above Eagle Boy Scouts.
First set of Air Force Wings
Bob was 21 at the time, but had already acquired a pilots license before he enlisted. He learned to fly in Orange County before participating in the Army Air Corps. I believe he was 19 at that time.

Bob Wegner Biography
Milestones and highlights here