Robert Wohlfeld

On January 11, 1933, Bob entered this world as the oldest of three siblings born to his parents, Nathan Wohlfeld and Helen Coerver. He was big brother to William and Natalie.

As an inquisitive and mechanically-inclined child, Bob is remembered for his inventions and garage tinkering. He spent summers outside with cousins and riding bikes up and down the dirt roads of Preston Hollow with his brother or in his homemade go kart.

He attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and Jesuit High School of Dallas, graduating in the class of 1951 His Jesuit classmates & their spouses grew to become lifelong sources of companionship and social engagement. They met monthly for lunch and breakfast after Sunday Mass for many years. Even in his last days, he was able to enjoy a luncheon reunion with those dear friends.

As a teenager he worked for his father’s construction company on job sites, including the original football stadium at the University of North Texas and multiple buildings at the University of Texas in Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Fair Park in Dallas. He was also hired as a teenage junior machinist with Texas Instruments, where he continued to hone his metalworking skills.

After two years at Texas A&M University, he joined the US Navy as an Aviation Cadet and pursued his desire to fly aircraft. He earned his commission as an ensign and began flight training in Pensacola, Florida, then moved to fixed wing advanced training in Kingsville, Texas.

Upon successful completion of aircraft carrier qualifications in 1955, he earned his “wings of gold,” was selected to continue fleet training in the Douglas AD-5 “Skyraider,” and received subsequent orders to Attack Squadron 155 at Moffett Field, California.

Bob continued his fleet aircraft training, including multiple sea and shore-based air wing detachments. He embarked in USS WASP to the Western Pacific where his duties included the collateral billet of Power Plants branch officer. In this role, he led squadron mechanics in maintaining the powerful 18-cylinder Wright R-3350 piston-driven engine for all aircraft. This eight month deployment took him to ports-of-call throughout the Pacific, including Hawaii, Guam, Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

After fulfilling his active duty requirements, Bob transitioned to the US Naval Reserve at NAS Dallas, with flying duties in the Piasecki HUP series helicopter. He accepted a position with Bell Helicopter as a member of the research and design team. He also served as head of operations for the experimental laboratory alongside giants in the field like Frank D. Robinson. Bob and his team traveled extensively in pursuit of aerospace wind tunnel design validations. He was known as an authority on these projects, contributing to research papers and some of Bell’s most famous aircraft designs, including the UH-1, AH-1, and XV-15 - some of which fly all over the world today.

At a social gathering for young Christ the King parishioners, he met Frances Anne Reed and they wed at Holy Trinity Church on December 20, 1960. They were married almost 60 years and raised five children before she passed away on September 19, 2020.

In 1978, Bob left Bell Helicopter to open his own machine shop. He took on projects ranging from a reed-making device used by professional instrumentalists to large scale wind tunnel prototype models. Varied work included pro bono projects for the Church and rapid acquisition challenges for deployed military assets engaged in combat operations. His work continued to be recognized with US patents and a loyal customer base. Bob’s uncanny knack to solve design & engineering challenges brought people to his doorstep and allowed him to operate his unique business for over 30 years.

In retirement, he continued to enjoy his beloved acreage in Canton, Texas, passing the time with friends and frequent trips to First Monday Trade Days. He loved the slower pace, managing agricultural land, and being caregiver to a constant supply of rescue cats and dogs. These small companions were a source of friendship, especially after Anne’s passing.

Bob expressed his artistic nature in many different mediums. He created sculptural works of art in metal, jewelry designs in silver and gold, and was also an accomplished watercolor artist, studying under Edgar Whitney. He was a mentor to two of his children and their businesses - Theresa, with jewelry design and Robert, with made-to-order architectural and furniture projects. He helped his family, neighbors, and friends fix anything that was broken and provided years of complimentary oil changes for his children’s many Volkswagen Beetles.

He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Michael (Kalen), Maria, Theresa (Paul), Christopher (Marla), and Robert (Loren), as well as his brother, William, and those close, lifelong friends whose presence meant the world to him. He has eight grandchildren: Greta Wohlfeld, Veronica, Vivian, and Fiona Scoggan, Charlie & Henry Wohlfeld, and Oscar & Ozzie Wohlfeld.

His family wishes to express their gratitude for the loving caregivers at Parsons House.