Robert Ernest Wessels

In Memory of Robert Ernest Wessels

Passed July 25th, 2024

Born April 11th, 1943

Resided in Big Sandy, TN

Robert “Bob” Ernest Wessels, 81, of Big Sandy, Tennessee, passed away on the morning of July 25th with family at his side. 

He was born in Memphis, TN to Ernest and Anna Kate (Marion) Wessels, graduated from Memphis Central High School and earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. 

Bob began his career designing diesel engines at Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria, IL. He married Barbara Hood, and although he had a military deferment and an infant son, he volunteered for the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam with the Corps of Engineers. Upon his return, he worked with Caterpillar until his retirement in 2006. Bob raised his family in Morton, IL, and resided there for over 25 years.

In 1994, Bob married Eileen Armbrust, whom he often referred to as his best friend. They retired to Big Sandy in 2007 and built a real estate business together. Their golden years were spent watching the most beautiful sunsets overlooking Big Sandy Lake from their home. 

Bob had an encyclopedic knowledge of just about everything and everyone around him and a gift of keen insight. When called upon for his counsel, he could always be counted on to find the angle that the asker had not. He will be forever loved and remembered. 

He was preceded to heaven by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife of thirty years, Eileen; first wife, Barbara (Steve) Horton; two children, Kurt (Sindhu) Wessels and Keeli (Craig) Brent; two stepdaughters, Christine (Jim) Patrick and Linda (Jeff) Frantom; four grandchildren Hailey, Miranda, Leslie and Niam; great grandson, Marshall; and his sister Kathie (Ed) Wilson.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 10:00-12:00 PM at Stockdale-Malin Funeral Home in Big Sandy TN. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon at Stockdale-Malin Funeral Home chapel. Burial in Ramble Creek Cemetery will follow. 

Bob was a generous donor to multiple charities, local and national; in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Darkhorse Lodge, a peaceful retreat for combat veterans, https://www.darkhorselodge.org/, or the Appalachia Service Project, https://asphome.org/, an organization working to eradicate substandard living conditions in the Appalachia region.