Robert Dean Wells

Robert “Bob” Wells, age 93, passed away peacefully in his home in Clearwater, Florida on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He was born on September 27, 1933 in West Point, Nebraska, which allowed him to joke that he was “a West Pointer.” The second son of Mabel Goodwin Wells and Willard James Wells, Bob enjoyed a loving sibling rivalry with brother Jim Wells until Jim’s passing in 2020.

Bob began his love of broadcasting in high school; he had a radio job before his 1951 graduation from Lincoln High School. His award-winning broadcasting studies at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln were paused to complete pilot training in the Air Force. Upon his return to the University, he reacquainted with theater major Barbara Leigh. The couple were soon engaged and married on June 17, 1956.

After Bob’s 1957 graduation, he and Barbara moved to Oklahoma City, where he worked in radio, and the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Teri in 1959. Bob became a weekend weatherman and band announcer in Kansas City, and son Robert joined the family in 1961, then daughter Patricia in 1964.

The family moved to a Cleveland, Ohio suburb in 1965 where Bob became known as “Hoolihan the Weatherman” as well as half of the Emmy-winning Friday night movie host comedy team “Hoolihan and Big Chuck.” Bob also enjoyed community theater, often acting with Barbara, and continued flying a single engine plane.

After giving his life to the Lord in 1976, Bob was often asked to share his Christian testimony and participate in prison ministry. He was manager of a Christian radio station in the Cleveland area for two years before accepting a position at a Clearwater, Florida fledgling Christian television station in 1979.

After moving to Clearwater, that job abruptly ended, and Bob began a financial planning company, BW Enterprises, which he managed for 33 years. He continued to do voice over and on camera work, as well as perform in professional and community theater. A career highlight was being cast in the 1985 film Summer Rental starring John Candy, filmed in Tampa Bay.

Bob got to play a favorite role twice: in 1982, he was father of the bride when daughter Teri married Scott Beck, and again in 1997, when daughter Patricia (Trish) married Seattle native David Morris. Bob became Grandpa when Teri and Scott’s daughter Allison was born in 1991, and again in 1994 when their daughter Amy was born.

Christmas became a time for cherished family reunions in Nashville where Teri and Scott had moved, or Seattle, where Trish and David lived. Son Rob would always join from Chicago.

Bob and Barbara were active in their church, and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. They also loved traveling, including several trips to Hawaii, the Caribbean, the Holy Land, London, for their 25th wedding anniversary, and Paris, on their 50th. That was sadly their last trip together, as Barbara passed away in 2007 after a long fight with cancer. Bob continued to be active in church, theater, and making annual trips to Cleveland to greet dear friends from the Hoolihan days at fan festivals. On two joyous trips to Nashville, Bob was grandfather to be: in 2017 when granddaughter Allison married Ohio native Jamin Wilkinson, and in 2019, when granddaughter Amy married Indiana native Philip Hepler.

2021 was another grief-stricken time when the family had to say goodbye to Tricia, who had gone home to be with the Lord after her own fight with cancer. In his final days, Bob spoke of looking forward to seeing wife Barb, daughter Tricia, and brother Jim again. Loved ones who remain on earth are grieving, but not like those who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:13). We know we will see Bob again. Heaven is more real when someone you love is there.

With love and hope from daughter Teri and Scott Beck, son Rob Wells, son-in-law David Morris, granddaughter Allison and Jamin Wilkinson, granddaughter Amy and Philip Hepler, brother-in-law Richard and Sharon Leigh, and sister-in-law Paula Wells.

In lieu of flowers, Bob asked for donations to be made to the Salvation Army. His Celebration of Life service will be held on November 7 at 1:00 p.m. at Tarpon Springs United Methodist Church. All are welcome.