Bob Wilber
Robert E Wilber, spouse of Reverend Linda Whittenberg, died on 12 July 2020, just days after his 87th birthday. Bob was born in Texas but spent most of his youth in Indiana. Having few other children in the area, he spent a lot of time exploring by himself and learned to love the natural world. He became an avid outdoorsman.
Bob graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Forestry, then was called into the Army. He served in Germany, where he met Inge “Chris” Goerl. In 1959 she emigrated to the U.S. and they were married. Bob went to work for the Bureau of Land Management, and they had two sons as the agency stationed him in Oregon, then Washington DC, and eventually in Wyoming. When the marriage ended in the 70’s, the boys remained with him, and learned to love the outdoors, too.
After his youngest son had finished high school, Bob moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, then retired from his government career. He continued to be involved in environmental work, and to explore natural areas. He enjoyed country dancing at local music venues, where he met Linda. In 1985 she received her theology degree, was ordained, and they married.
When she was called to San Luis Obispo, and later to Spokane, Bob took on the minister’s spouse role. Besides picking up much of the domestic work, he read and critiqued her sermons and offered advice. As her active ministry ended, they returned to Santa Fe, where they soon acquired some acreage and began caring for horses and mules and dogs. They continued to explore trails in the mountains and wilderness, side by side.
Bob was a reader, keeping up with the daily news, and the New Yorker, but also studying poetry. He kept an open mind and would change it if warranted.
He is survived by Linda, his sons Scott and Tom, and their families
Memorial gifts can be directed to the Natural Resources Defense Council.