Robert E. Welsch
September 10, 1935 ~ January 29, 2021
Funeral: 1:00 p.m. Wednesday February 3, 2021 at First United Methodist Church. Due to the global pandemic, only 50 people (including the family) are allowed to attend the services. You are invited to view the service online via this website or www.facebook.com/columbusfumc.
Visitation: 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday February 2, 2021 at Jewell - Rittman Family Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.
Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery
Jewell – Rittman Family Funeral Home would like to thank everyone in advance for wearing masks and practicing social distancing while attending gatherings.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Brown County State Park Nature Center, Medical Ministry International, Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, or First United Methodist Church.
Bob Welsch, 85, of Columbus, passed away January 29, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.
Bob was born September 10, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Clifford and Lorraine Senn Welsch. He married Nancy Phillips on December 28, 1974.
For over 30 years, Bob was a teacher at Northside Middle School. His science lessons and personality were captivating and inspiring. Bob’s school spirit came through loud and clear with his enthusiasm at pep rallies and while coaching several sports. After his retirement, he continued to share his gift of teaching with countless guests at the Brown County Nature Center and many student teachers he supervised through IUPUC.
Bob discovered his love for traveling while in the Navy, particularly enjoying his time in Japan. His passion for travel combined with his heart for teaching led him to take many students on trips all over the country and world. This included church workcamps to North Carolina, many trips to the Rocky Mountain Field Ecology Institute in Colorado, and visits to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the United Kingdom with People to People.
Another passion of Bob’s was helping and serving others. He was a proud member of Kiwanis, volunteered at the Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum and Habitat for Humanity, participated in medical mission trips to Mexico, and served on the mission team at church for several years.
Above all, Bob demonstrated great love to his family and friends. He was devoted, generous, and always willing to genuinely listen and put others before himself. His passion for life, people, and learning was a beautiful example of a life well lived.
Bob is survived by his wife; daughters Jackie (Steve) Deur of Holland, Michigan and Stephanie (Brad) Gambrel of Columbus; grandchildren Drew, Ethan, Emmett, and Lorri Deur, Jacob and Addie Knapp, and Chelsea, Kaz, Kalissa, and Naomi Gambrel; great-grandchildren Carsyn, Prestyn, and Benny; his twin brother Clifford “Bud” (Margaret) Welsch of DeWitt, Michigan; as well as a sister Ginger (Tom) Heitz of Fly Creek, New York.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
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Mr. Welsch was my 7th grade science teacher in the mid-1980s. His enthusiasm for science and life was remarkable. He was a very fun teacher and kind person.
Mr Wesch was my teacher and coach in the mid 70s. I will always remember his fantastic attitude and enthusiasm for everything we done. I send many prayers for strength and comfort during this difficult time for the family!
Jefffitzpat@yahoo.com
I worked with Bob at Northside in the late 80’s. He was dedicated, funny, and an inspiration to all!! He made learning science fun and his students loved him. His laugh was contagious!!
I never had the pleasure of having Mr. Welsch as a teacher, but I certainly remember his presence at Northside pep rallies. His enthusiasm was contagious. My thoughts and prayers are with his family-especially Mrs. Welsch, a wonderful teacher in her own rite.
Northside 1979 phys Ed class
I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Me. Welsh at Northside middle school. I worked in the cafeteria. My son had him for science and my daughter had him for clubs. He was a wonderful teacher, person and human. Fly high Bob! You have earned your wings! Sorry to those you left behind.
My brother Doug DeVillez and I were reminiscing last week about Bob, FUMC and the work camps. Bob was definitely a good role model for us of how to have fun while being the hands of Christ. May his memory be a blessing.
Lit a candle in memory of Robert E. Welsch
Just wanted to say how much I appreciated him as a teacher and a coach at Northside and prayers for all of you
Great teacher and wonderful person!
What a great great guy Bob was! Having worked with him for 10 years at Northside I can say I never saw him without that beautiful smile on his face. He was so full of life and you couldn’t help but be drawn into his presence. He was so passionate about everything he did and I so admired his vigor for life. Thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. He gave it the fight and will most definitely be missed!
Thank you Mr. Welsch for taking this kid under your wings. You helped shape me for the better and I appreciate those baseball games! I will never forget those trips to see the Cards Play baseball! RIP.
What a Pep Session is occurring in Heaven with Bob leading Boom-A-Chick-A-Boom!
Tammie LeClerc
Mr. Welsch was a fantastic teacher – I vividly remember dissecting frogs in his class while at Northside in the late 90’s. I lived in the same neighborhood and would often see him outside of school in his yard. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Great teachers really do make a difference in your life. He was a great one.
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Bob. Welsch.
Mr. Welsch was a teacher and friend to me. He would come pick me up and we would play handball at Lincoln or corkball at Parkside. We would also go on extensive bike rides to hunt for beer cans around Bakalar. What a great spirit for life, never a dull moment. Will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Jim Olsen
Brent, Michele, Cameron, & Kenzie purchased the Sweet Tranquility Basket for the family of Bob. Welsch.
I always remember how he would come into me and stepanies kdg class in the pm when we were dog tired and say dont you love it fresh new lives in here learning we would look at him like are you kidding us ?.He was always so happy and wonderful to me.Rip Mr Welsch I will miss you.
Steve & family purchased the Peaceful White Lilies Basket for the family of Bob. Welsch.
I’m sorry for your loss. May God give all of you peace and comfort at this difficult time in your lives. I remember him from Northside Middle School. He was one of my teachers. He was a great teacher and more importantly a great man. I remember his sweet family. Love and hugs. Your friend, Jeff Fritts.
We are sorry to hear Bob passed….We loved having come spend time with us at Just Friends…I enjoyed my games of Crazy 8s and talks with Him…..His Smile lit up the room…Loved His Stories And laughter…He was a Friend to All…💕💕💕We will miss you Bob…Thanks for being a part of Our Family at Just Friends…Hugs And Prayers to Family And Friends 💕💕🥰🥰May God Bless and Comfort You All…Love Diane Daulton And Your Friends
Prayers for all of the family! Not only was Bob a teacher for two of our children(Jenny & Ronnie Walker) but our daughter’s were best of friends. With sleep over’s and party’s together. So sorry for all of your loss. Debbie & Terry Barkes
Mr. Welsch was one of my favorite teachers at Northside (7th grade science, 1969-70). There are so many memories, from the ties Miss Phillips made for him that he proudly wore, to his Missouri accent, to how he helped us try to identify rocks and minerals (I loved them but didn’t do great at identification), to the hilarious dress and lip-synching by the “Three Night Dogs” at convos. In the classroom, he came across as a very real, genuine person who cared about his students. I loved reading his obituary and learning more about him as a person. As a teacher myself, I try to model my teaching and my behavior towards my students after people like him. Mrs. Welsch and all the family, may God hold you close in the days ahead.
Bob was a wonderful brother. He lived an amazing life. I have many wonderful memories. ginger welsch heitz
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Until recently I never thought about Bob being or getting older. He was always so young in spirit and shared a enthusiasm for life that was contagious. His laughter and goodness will be remembered.
You are in our thoughts and prayers! He will be missed.
Love,
Carrie Dayhoff
There are not enough words to describe how my brothers, Jeff, Dave and I felt when our amazing and “Cool” Uncle Bob (Unc) came to visit. We will always treasure our times we shared together. You will be sorely missed Unc! Rick Welsch.
To the Welsch family: know that Bob had a significant impact on many young peoples’ lives during a very important time in their lives. He was a great mentor to me during my time at Northside Junior High.
Thank you, Bob!
College Roommate- Best Friend-Best man at my wedding- teammate and competitor in so many ball games- role model and mentor. Though our lives took different paths, I have never forgotten the good times.
Prayers of comfort for the family.
Bob was not only my friend, but my buddy. We spent lots of time together, 5 years at workcamp, several years with Kiwanis and working the fair booth, the mission committee at , First United Methodist, with a trip to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, then the new membership at Atterbury-Bakalar Museum, plus our yearly jaunts to Methodist Children’s Home with my Subaru jammed full with Christmas. goodies. And the Sundays at Marcos Pizza with Nancy. Bob had great humor and patience with life as it became really difficult in the end, so yes I will miss him, but I still have those memories.
JennieAddis and family purchased the Beautiful in Blue for the family of Bob. Welsch.
We are thinking of you and family, Nancy; and praying God will comfort you with His peace and love. So sorry I cannot call, but I am quarantined at this time. I really enjoyed teaching with Bob, and fondly remember many good times together. He was such a good teacher and friend. Sincere condolences,
Tom and Linda Smith
Mr. Welsch was one of those teachers that you remember for the rest of your life. I certainly did. He’s one of those people who leave the world a better place because of their energy and love of life. Thank you Mr. Welsch.
My best to the entire family! I think of Bob as the most inspirational teacher I ever subbed for. He had such a zest for life and truly cared about the students. Wish I had been young enough to have had him for a teacher! He will be greatly missed by so many but has left his mark on so many. With love, Janet Dissauer