In Remembrance: Robert L. Weil ’43 Died on March 17 2021

Robert “Bob” Weil died on March 17, 2021, after a busy 99 years. His sons John and Richard were by his side. 

Due to the US entrance into World War II, Bob’s class graduated early, in December 1942.  He then completed Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. A few months later he was in Morocco and Algeria, then on to Italy, surviving a troop-ship sinking en route. After two and a half years of war service, he returned to the States.

With his bride, Margaret “Peggy” Seidler of Chicago, he moved to Seattle in 1947. After several years with Best’s Apparel, Bob was transferred to Portland as co-manager. When Nordstrom assumed ownership, he became general manager and vice president, responsible for stores in Oregon and Washington. He was awarded the John W. Nordstrom honor, given each year to the top executive in the company. 

After ‘retiring’ in 1978, he did consulting for clients in Oregon, Washington, and Montana. Bob was appointed by four governors to various commissions including the Oregon Student Assistance Commission, the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board, the Energy Facility Siting Council, and the Portland Boundary Commission. He served on the boards of the World Affairs Council, Chamber Music Northwest, City Club of Portland, ACLU of Oregon, Planned Parenthood of the Columbia/Willamette, Fruit and Flower, Morrison Center, Northwest Foundation for Children, OMSI Ambassadors, the Casey Family Program for Oregon, and as treasurer of the Yale Alumni Association of Oregon.

He also served on various advisory groups for government offices. As a volunteer fundraiser, he worked on campaigns for Governors Roberts and Kitzhaber, Secretaries of State Bradbury and Keisling, Metro Executive Gustafson, and many others. Bob hated to lose and rarely did. He also enjoyed participating in the “Campaigners” political shows. 

Especially important to him was his founder’s membership in a monthly luncheon with five contemporaries in the community, all with varied and interesting careers. With a deep interest in urban affairs, he also audited a record-setting number of classes at Portland State University for over 31 years. 

Bob was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Peggy; and is survived by his sons John (Janet) and Richard ’74, his grandson Daniel, plus nieces and nephews in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

A vital part of many lives is gone. He will be missed. 

—Submitted by the family.