In loving memory of our father, Cullie Robert “Bob” Wehr, Jr., of Springfield, MO, who departed on October 20, 2011 at the age of 86. He was born August 3, 1925 to Mae and Cullie R. Wehr in Springfield, MO.
Bob’s life was full of many adventures. In 1943, he graduated from Central High School and soon joined the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he quickly obtained the rank of Lieutenant Bombardier. Bob always had a mind for business. At an early age, he had an ice cream stand and putt-putt golf course on Kearney.
After leaving the Air Force, Bob began working for the Frisco Railroad and quickly decided that he had other plans in mind. He became partners with his brother-in-law Bill Cloud and started the largest used car lot in the area. This business evolved into the first transmission repair shop in the area and a few years later it became Aaron’s Automotive, one of the largest transmission remanufacturing plants in the United States, which employed over 2,000 in the Springfield area. In 1994, Bob and his son Jim sold Aaron’s Automotive Products and decided to concentrate on commercial real estate in the area. Along with his daughters, they founded Wehr Properties, which owns and operates many buildings in the Springfield area.
Bob has always had a passion for music. Joined by his son Jim, they decided to use their resources to build and donate what is now known as Wehr Band Hall at MSU. Bob’s love for fun and music led to his next adventure in converting the former Mutton Hollow Village to Branson USA Amusement Park and then opening the White House Theatre in Branson. During that time he acquired one of the largest antique clock collections in the area. Bob was a 50 year member of Gate of the Temple Lodge No. 422, a 50 year member of Royal Arch Mason Vincil Chapter 110 and Associate member of the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine.
Family and friends will remember Bob as a workaholic, but he also loved entertaining and was always the life of the party. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters.
Surviving are his three children: daughter Connie Johnson and husband John, son James R. Wehr and fiancee Trish Bradford and daughter Patricia L. Johnson and husband Mark. He was blessed with six grandchildren: Shane Cates and wife Lisa, Brent Cates, Scott Wehr and wife Emily, Bronson Wehr and fiancee Kelly Aggus, Julie Pennell and husband Mark, Shannon Rainey and husband Bill; seven great-grandchildren: Cooper Cates, Brody Wehr, Landon Pennell, Parker Pennell, Lilly Pennell, Lila Pennell and Cyrus Rainey, a sister Mary Cloud and a half-brother David Wehr; and many friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, October 23, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Services will be held Monday, October 24, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in Greenlawn North, Springfield, MO. Burial will follow in the Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.