Spanish Alum Robert Wenger Passes at 85

Robert D. Wenger

Ohio University alum Maj. Robert D. Wenger passed away at the age of 85, reports the Daily News Record (Harrisonburg, VA).

Wenger earned an M.A. in Spanish from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1971.

Robert Dale Wenger (United States Air Force, retired), age 85, of Harrisonburg, Va., died on Sunday, July 16, 2017. Bob grew up in the Edom community, where his family roots go back five generations to Joseph Wenger, son of Christian Wenger, who migrated to Virginia from Lancaster County, Pa., in 1775. Bob was a son of the late DeWitt Wenger and Fannie E. Mills Wenger.

Bob graduated from Linville-Edom High School and attended Madison College. Later, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and his master’s degree from Ohio University. He enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War in 1951, was promoted to staff sergeant, and was a radio operator on a flight crew. He applied for pilot training and was accepted in 1953. He graduated from pilot training and received his Wings and Commission as second lieutenant in 1954. He served as a pilot and instructor pilot for the remainder of his military career and retired in 1971 as a major and command pilot.

Upon military retirement, Bob and his family moved to Broadway, Va., to reside. Bob then taught at Turner Ashby High School for 17 years and retired from teaching in 1987….