Robert Karl Waggener

He was born in Pueblo on November 25, 1952, as a fourth generation Coloradoan. He attended Carlile Grade School, Keating Junior High School, and Central High School. He graduated from the University of Colorado and went on to complete his formal education at Northwestern University Dental School.

Dr. Waggener pursued his dental career in various locations. He worked in the Public Health Service in Baton Rouge, La. He served on the professional staff of the Veterans Administration in Baton Rouge, LA; Lake City, FL; Pineville, LA; Ft. Lyon, CO and finally came home to his beloved Pueblo with the VA.

After retiring from the Veterans Administration, he started a new career with Pueblo Community College where he was the Supervising Dentist of the Dental Hygiene Program. He was proud to serve our veterans and then took great joy in teaching his dental hygiene students to serve people in the future.

Rob was easy to define – he was simply the best! He epitomized the quintessential person. He loved his family, his profession, his hobbies, sports, and most importantly – he loved people.

He married his wonderful wife Renee in 1994 and together they are the proud parents of three children. Emily, Melissa, and Thomas.

Rob and Renee were always active and involved in their children’s lives, schools, and most importantly, their sport activities. The family is well known in the East High sports community and the mileage on their cars represents their love to attend the many games they have played.

He was an extraordinarily talented pianist and enjoyed playing for friends and family. He loved playing cribbage, trivia, and authored many crossword puzzles. As a youngster, he participated in wrestling, Old Timers Baseball, football, and later in life, golf, and walking. He loved sports, as a participant, coach, and fan!

But above all, he was always a calm presence to his family, friends, patients, and his students – in short, he loved life! His life, while very full, ended too soon -- he will be dearly missed!

He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Karl and Mary Ellen Waggener. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Renee, daughters Emily (27) and Melissa (25) and son Thomas (21), sister, Gretchen Shaffer (Dale) and brothers Conrad Waggener (Beverly) and William Waggener (Lucy) and multiple extended family relatives.

A special Thank You to the Parkview CV/ICU staff who gave Bert the “fighting chance” he wanted.

A Celebration of Rob’s Life will be held on June 21, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. at Ascension Episcopal Church 420 W 18th Street, Pueblo, CO 81003

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Waggener may be made to the Pueblo Community College Foundation for the establishment of a Waggener Dental Hygiene scholarship at Pueblo Community College. Secure online donations may be made via the Foundation’s website www.puebloccfoundation.org and click on the DONATE TAB or by sending checks made payable to the Pueblo Community College Foundation and mailing them to 900 W. Orman Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004.