Robert W. Welti

Robert W. Welti passed away on March 31, 2014 at the age of 91. Bob was born in West Hoboken, NJ and grew up in nearby North Bergen. He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1943 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and began a life-long career with the oil industry companies that coalesced to become Exxon. He served as a radar repairman in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was stationed in the Philippines. Following military service, Bob returned to Exxon in the New York area and married Gloria Wagner in 1947. The newlyweds left for Indonesia in 1947, where Bob and his team built an oil refinery. Subsequent extended overseas service assignments took Bob and Gloria to the Netherlands, Australia, and England. Stateside, Bob lived in Chappaqua, NY until 1972, and then Houston, site of Exxon headquarters, until his retirement in 1982. In 2004, Bob and Gloria moved to the Maravilla retirement community in Santa Barbara. Bob was a wonderful father and grandfather and he imparted a love of the outdoors, skiing, baseball, fishing, and travel to his sons and grandsons. Golf was his passion and he was very proud of his two "holes in one" at his beloved Pine Forest Country Club in Houston. He was fortunate to have made life-long friends from all over the world. Bob was predeceased by his wife Gloria and sister, Ethel McEwan. He is survived by his son Robert Welti MD and wife Pam of Santa Barbara, grandson David of San Diego, grandson Tyler and wife Kate of Washington D.C. and great-grandchildren Lila and Dylan Welti. The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Maravilla, who have been so wonderful over the years.We will never forget the compassionate care given by his caregivers Delores, David, Armando, Alex, Enrique, and Maria as well as by Dr. Timothy Rodgers and staff, the Goleta Wound Center, Dr. Roberta Sengelmann's team, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care. And finally, a toast to the Beachside Café, where he was a lunch regular for many years! A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara.

Robert W. Welti

September 24, 1922 - March 31, 2014