Lewis Robert “Bob” Werner, Sr.
February 4, 1943-January 14, 2023
Lewis “Bob” went to meet his Heavenly Father on the evening of January 14, 2023. He was born in Huntington, New York to the late Helen Faye Eyster and Richard Edward Werner, later moving to Miami in 1951. He joined the Army in 1960, mainly stationed in Germany, working on missiles during his service. After serving in the Army, he obtained a Journeymen Master Electrician license. Lewis “Bob” also became a protype wood modeler, builder and published poet. He received many awards, local, state and national, for his expertise and perfectionistic ability in model building. In 1964, he married Mary Margaret Hand, who literally was “the girl next door.” In 1955, when he was 12 years old, his family moved behind Margaret’s parents, Judson and Betty Hand, formerly of Whigham, Georgia. He was married to the love of his life and soulmate for just shy of 59 years. Together, they lived in Miami, Hollywood, and Pembroke Pines, Florida, in Whigham, Georgia, and in New Port Richey, Florida. They resided in the Whigham family home in Georgia for 17 years. Bob was known as “Papa Bear” to his children: Lewis Robert Werner Jr., Douglas Ronald Werner, Judson Wendle Werner, John Walter Werner, and Tonya Marie Werner. Bob taught Sunday school at every church the family attended: First Baptist of West Hollywood, Taft Street Baptist of Hollywood, Gardens Baptist of Miami Gardens and last at Magnolia Baptist Church in Whigham, Georgia. He served as troop leader of Webelos Boy Scouts in Florida and tutored many fellow electricians for their Journeyman exams.
His legacy of “Papa Bear” will live on. He is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Mary Margaret Hand Werner, and their children, Lewis Robert, Jr. (Susan), Douglas Ronald (Karen), John Walter (Leigh Ann), and Tonya Marie. He is also survived by grandchildren, Abby, Ashley and Kurt Werner, Logan and Megan Mobley, Judson, Levi, and Mazie Werner, Allan Colley, and great- grandchild, Weston Werner. He was preceded in death by twin son, Judson Wendle Werner, father, Richard E. Werner and beloved step-mother, Martha Barnes Werner and mother, Helen Eyster Kalb and beloved step-father, Walter A. Kalb.
A visitation will be held at Dobie Funeral Home, New Port Richey, Florida, on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be at Magnolia Baptist Church, Whigham, GA, at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 20th, 2023, presided by Brother Jimmy Ausburn and Brother Johnny Burdick. Interment will follow in Magnolia Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Magnolia Baptist Church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Magnolia Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 91, Whigham, GA 39897.
