Robert DeVol Wendell

WENDELL, Robert DeVol, "Bob," age 92, passed away on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Originally from Lowell, Ohio, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Albert F. Wendell and Hattie Louise Wendell; his brother, William Milton Wendell; a sister, Martha Louise Wendell and his first wife, Mary Patricia Conley Wendell. He is survived by his wife, Bessie Castle Matthews Wendell; his daughter, Deborah Wendell Vandewalle (son-in-law, Thomas); son, James DeVol Wendell; grandchildren, Julie Wilson (grandson-in-law, Jeff Wilson), Curtis Wendell, Shawn, Kristen and Jonathan Conner; great grandchildren, Amber and Meghan Wilson, Thomas Wendell, Quinten, Mason and Olivia Conner; stepsons, General Scott Castle and Stuart Castle; stepdaughters, Deveron Timberlake and Anita King; stepsons-in-law, Joseph W. Timberlake and Michael King; step grandchildren, Ryan, Megan and Chase Castle, Joseph and Emily Timberlake, Matthew, Daniel and Madeline King. Bob received his Bachelor of Science in Business from Ohio University, attended Harvard Graduate School of Business and American College of Life Underwriters. He was discharged as a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, served during WWII in Headquarters, Far East Air Force, with service in Japan, Korea, Guam and the Philippine Islands during the Korean Conflict. He received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations. Bob was a member and elder of St. Giles Presbyterian Church since 1956 and served as Church School superintendent for eight years. He was past president of St. Giles Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, sang in the chancel choir, served as a musician in the Musical Praise Team and served 17 years on the Presbytery of the James Committee on Evangelism. Bob was associated with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company for 36 years, serving as General Agent in Richmond for 10 of those years. He was past president of the General Agents and Managers Association and the Chapter Life Underwriter's Association of Richmond, specializing in Estate Planning and Business Life Insurance. He was a member of the Estate Planning Council of Richmond, and was a Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Bob played string bass professionally in the 'Big Band' days. He was a member of the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra for 17 years and was a past member of the Phi Mu Alpha Honorary Music Society. He was also a past president of Richmond Youth Challenge. The family and friends of Bob Wendell are grateful to God for loaning him to us for a season. We were privileged to be a part of his life and he of ours, as he imparted to us his abounding faith, profound wisdom and abiding love. We will reflect in the years to come on the many ways he enriched our lives through God's grace, whom he loved and served his whole life. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, 1 p.m., at St. Giles Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Giles, 5200 Grove Ave., Richmond, Va. 23226, for the production of 'Job's Unbridled Faith', on May 18, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Condolences may be offered at woodyfuneralhomehuguenot.com.

Published in Richmond Times-Dispatch from March 19 to March 20, 2012