Robert Douglas Wotawa, better known as Bob, born February 13, 1951 and passed in his home on Wednesday, July 2, 2020 at the age 69. He is survived by his adoring children Zachary Wotawa and Gwendolyn Wotawa.
This rascally rabbit was born the youngest of three to Elizabeth Foote and Anthony Wotawa. He has joined his sister, Francis Kaempfer, to poke fun at each other in the hereafter along with her daughter Karlyn Kaempfer, and is also survived by his brother Dan Wotawa, and nieces: Jennifer Kaempfer, Holli Kaempfer, Connie Wotawa, Amy Wotawa, and Rebecca Wotawa.
He was born with music in his heart and head. He spent the ‘60s with headphones blaring music of all types from his beloved Beatles to Frank Zappa, and everything in between.
He followed this sound to work as Master Sound Technician at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis for 25 years. He was in the IATSE Union and was a stagehand to concerts all across St. Louis. Rocking out for work was a dream come true. For his hobbies, collecting a Porsche, Kawasaki motorcycle, various airstreams, trucks, and more fixer-uppers put that incredibly curious mind to work.
His marriage of 16 years gave him his greatest passion: his children. Raising his two red-heads with his tickle monster character left them in happy tears, his freckly arms built a tire swing and fort that gave them joy, and oatmeal and brown sugar breakfast that gave them warmth. His tender heart showed his children how proud their every accomplishment or effort made him.
A regular regime of camping with his kids changed to a movie-going routine in his retirement years. Ronnie’s knew his family’s faces and was almost always followed by cocktail hour.
With his smiley blue eyes there was never a lack of laughing until you couldn’t breathe, being involved with his kids’ needs, or music. Like a beautiful song, he left you wanting more. He has saved his encore for the afterlife!
Ceremony to be held Thursday, July 16th, 2020 a private location. Please contact his children for details for his final Happy Hour!
Zack and Gwen, I was so sorry to hear about your dad. I have been holding you all in prayer and hope for peace and healing for you both.
Gwen and Zach, I am sending you love and light. And peace to you both.
With my most heartfelt condolences to the Wotawa family. Allen Leslie
With my most heartfelt condolences to the Wotawa family. I am very sorry for your loss.
Zach and Gwennie,
Our hearts are breaking for you but your words are so inspiring and loving. Your Dad was so lucky in his children!
May this highly fun and lovable man find perfect happiness and joy. And may you and all who loved him find hope and peace.
May God hold him and you both in the Palm of His Hand.
Joanne and Jeff Schumacher❤️
Gwennie & Zack, your dad was so fun to be around! And he instilled that joie de vivre in the two of you. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. Love to you.
That my sweet cousins was the best of what your dad and my uncle meant to all of us. Beautifuly put! Hugs Cousins!!
Love you,
Jenny
Bob was a great friend as we worked together for several years at FlorissantValley Community College . I spent many a late nights working shows done there. Building sets, me on lights, and Bob on sound. I look back on that time with fond memories. I am sorry for loosing touch with him. He was a great man. Sorry for your loss. He will be missed.
Sending prayers to the Wotawa family. Bob has been our neighbor for the past 30 + years. We will miss seeing him and his regular wave from the truck or his yard.
I had the distinct pleasure of being a union brother to him and working at Rep filling in for Peggy. A great friend and mentor who will be sorry missed.
From 1984 to 1988 Bob provided me the first opportunities to venture into sound design and audio production while at the Conservatory. My sincerest condolences to his family
My Condolences to the Wotawa family. I worked occasionally with Bob and liked him a lot.