11/12/1940 - 10/05/2022
Robert was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 12th, 1940, to Florence and Robert (Charles) Westerman Jr. The second of eight children, “Bobby” and his older brother James Michael (“Mike”), set the household tone. Hijinks ensued, and his ability to enjoy life was evident early on. He convinced his folks to let him leave De La Salle Catholic High for Minneapolis’ Central High School where his popularity led to his tenure as Senior Class President of 1958, a position he held with honor. Thereafter, his dreams of becoming an Army paratrooper were cut short once it was discovered he had signed up before his 18th birthday (unbeknownst to everyone) and he was too young to legally train for the job. As a consolation, he was given a coveted assignment in Germany managing a supply depot. Once again, with his infectious personality, Bob became “the man to see” if you needed anything at all. Upon returning home, while out with friends at The Loon, he met a beautiful young woman, Jean Pearl Gray. Jean’s journal described meeting “Robert Wasserman…Bob is a real nut and kind of cute.” Thus began a whirlwind romance. The two were married a short time later, on February 24th, 1962. Daughters Michele (Shelly) in August 1962, and Tracy in November 1963, were followed in January 1966 by a set of twins, Jill and Bobby. The family eventually landed in Hazelwood, Missouri. Their time was filled with laughter, little league, youth softball, and many good friends. Bob’s outgoing personality was always best suited for sales, and during these years he sold everything from Wonder Bread to typewriters to real estate. In 1978, they ventured to Marietta, Georgia, and immersed themselves in southern hospitality. Working alongside his closest friends, Bob was involved in one of the very first companies to develop electronic tax return processing. Because of the chaotic nature of tax season, he began an April practice of “gifting” staff with baby rabbits and ducks, letting them run loose in the office to keep everyone laughing. Later, Bob and Jean enjoyed some well-earned time traveling, taking cruises to stunning places such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Barcelona, partying with close friends and making many new ones along the way. They eventually downsized to a Dunwoody, Georgia hillside condominium that featured a sunroom enveloped by trees, with a babbling brook below, creating an enchanting forest atmosphere. Here, they enjoyed spending summers with their first two grandchildren, Abigail and Alex. Whether it was helping young Abigail create the “Do Nothing Corporation,” or crafting a personalized Pokémon card for “Alexoguard,” “Papa Nick” became legendary in their eyes. He also developed a children’s board game, “Jungle Ride,” and, although he never saw it through to production, it was beloved by Abbie and Alex. He would later bring this same joy to his third grandchild, Zoë Mae, who granted him the title “Grandpoo,” a silly moniker he took on with style. As the wedded pair grew older, Bob and Jean realized their 20-step hillside hike to the parking lot was no longer sustainable. In late 2019, they took their show on the road to Altamonte Springs, Florida, to be near daughter Jill. Papa Nick enjoyed his new screened porch with its fabulous lake view. In 2022, after celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary, his decades-long struggle with vascular dementia began to take its toll, and, after a brief nursing home stay, he passed away on October 5th. His life wasn’t always easy; he endured a stroke at age 46, followed by numerous vascular surgeries, and suffered the tragic loss of his then-37-year-old, only son, Robert William Westerman. But Robert/Bobby/Bob/Papa Nick/Grandpoo took every adversity in stride and made the absolute most of his nearly 82 years. He leaves behind his loving wife Jean; daughters Shelly Westerman (Los Angeles), Tracy (Jon) BeDell (Houston), and Jill (Greg) Marsh (Longwood, FL); grandchildren Abigail Marsh (Marietta, GA), Alex (Amanda) Marsh (New Smyrna Beach, FL), and Zoë BeDell (Houston); and one great grandchild, Patrick Alex Marsh (New Smyrna Beach, FL). His siblings, William Westerman (Minneapolis), Kathy (Richard) Skinner (Minneapolis), Mark Westerman (Acworth, GA) and Margaret (Terry) Peterson (New London/Spicer, MN), along with their many children and grandchildren, join in the family’s loss. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Robert Westerman, his son, Robert William Westerman, and siblings Mary Jean Westerman, John Joseph Westerman, and James Michael Westerman. While there are no plans for a local service, Celebrations of Life in Atlanta and/or Minneapolis are pending. The family invites everyone to submit photographs and their favorite memories at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/altamonte-springs-fl/robert-westerman-10958975
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