Robert W. 'Bob' Wangenstein, Sr.

Memorial service for Robert W. 'Bob' Wangenstein, Sr. will be held 3 PM Sunday, October 21, 2007 in First United Methodist Church with Rev. Donald Avery officiating under the direction of Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. Mr. Wangenstein, 82, of Natchitoches, LA, died Wednesday, October 17, 2007, at Natchitoches Regional Long Term Care Unit in Natchitoches, LA. Bob was a native of New York. He was a World War II veteran of the U. S. Army. He worked for International Paper Company in Arkansas from 1948 to 1978 and in Natchitoches from 1978 to 1985. Bob joined the Malvern, AR Lions Club in October of 1961. When he transferred to Natchitoches in 1973 as district forester for International Paper, he became a member of the Natchitoches Club where he was faithful in attending state conventions and other district and sub-district meetings on a regular basis. He was a cabinet secretary for the last four district governors from the Natchitoches Lions Club. Bob was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow in October 1993, earned the Extension Award in May 1997, and the Five New Member Key in 2004. Bob was the originator of the American Flag Project and chairman until his death. As a result of this project, the Natchitoches Lions Club members display over 200 flags on local businesses during seven holidays per year. Bob was an active member of both the American Legion and V.F.W. where he served as Quartermaster for many years. He was a dedicated supporter of all veterans. In 2006, Bob was awarded the prestigious 15, 000 hour pin for volunteer service given by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dinah Wangenstein; his parents, William Wangenstein and Alma Reinen Wangenstein; brother, Bill Wangenstein. He is survived by his wife, Edna Huggins Wangenstein of Natchitoches, LA; daughter, B. J. Perez and husband Joe of Conway, AR; son, Robert William Wangenstein, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA; two granddaughters, Lauren Perez and Laine Perez both of Conway, AR; three sisters, Lila Weinberg of Tivoli, NY, Betty Griggs of Mount Vernon, WA, and Barbara Wynroth of Bennington, VT.