Dr. Robert L. Wangelin

Dr. Robert Lester Wangelin died on March 2nd, 2023, at Beacon Place in Greensboro. He was 77 years old. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Monday, March 13th at 11 AM, with a visitation at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home (515 N. Elm St.) on Sunday, March 12th from 4-6 PM.

Robert -- “Bob,” as he was known to most—was born in Richland, Washington, where his father served as an engineer as part of the Hanford-Manhattan nuclear development project during WWII. After a brief move to Victoria, Texas, Bob spent most of his childhood in Charleston, West Virginia.

He completed his bachelor’s degree at Purdue University in 1968 and went on to medical school at West Virginia University where he completed his MD in 1972 and his residency in Psychiatry in 1975. It was at WVU where Bob met Diane Louise (Hardon) Wangelin, his late wife of nearly 50 years. They were married in 1972.

Bob pursued an accomplished career in psychiatry across three states and as many decades. Highlights include his position as Medical Director at the Community Mental Health Center in Medina, Ohio, his position on the Psychiatry Faculty at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and many years of work in group and private practice locally in Greensboro. In addition to seeing routine outpatients, he specialized in inpatient consult-liaison services, particularly in ICU and skilled nursing levels of care at Vencor Hospital, Charter Hospital, Moses Cone, and Wesley Long. He was awarded a Quality of Care Award at Vencor Hospital in 1995 for his outstanding clinical contributions. He served on multiple advisory and training committees and contributed to the education of many medical students and residents.

Many will remember Bob as a dutiful caregiver for his mother, mother-in-law, and beloved wife, Diane – each of whom predeceased him. As a long-term advocate for and participant in various peer support groups, Bob believed in the power of healing through community. A dedicated parishioner at St. Pius, and formerly at St. Paul’s, he took his faith seriously and contributed to countless community outreach activities. A committed father, grandfather, and friend, those closest to Bob throughout his life will remember him as an adventurer and traveler at heart, a talented musician and photographer, a tireless listener with a silly sense of humor, and a kind human being with many intriguing life experiences and stories to share.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Schmidt Wangelin and Betty Kay (“BK”) Wangelin, as well as his brother Richard Albert Wangelin. He is survived by his son Christopher Clinton Wangelin (Katie), his daughter Bethany Wangelin Frye (Colt), both of Greensboro, NC; and five grandchildren: Lily Wangelin (age 12), Siler Wangelin (age 10), Kenney Wangelin (age 10), Vera Frye (age 5), and Samuel Frye (age 2). He is also survived by many extended family members and friends.

Family would like to express their gratitude to those at Abbotswood at Irving Park, Wesley Long Hospital, Countryside Rehabilitation Center, AuthoraCare Beacon Place, and St. Pius who went above and beyond in caring for Bob, the sage staff at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home for their expert guidance and phenomenal responsiveness, along with the many friends and other loved ones who have supported Bob’s children and their families through this difficult time.

As charity and service were of utmost importance to Bob, in lieu of flowers, his family encourages donations to the charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.