Obituary Robert Wienner – (1950-2024)

Robert (Bob) Wienner of Litchfield and Farmington, Connecticut, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2024, after a brief battle with brain cancer. He was 74.

Born February 8, 1950 in Birmingham, Michigan, Bob was the beloved eldest son of James and Marilyn (Sandorf) Wienner and an admired older brother of Tom Wienner and Wendy Romanow. He grew up in a warm home that was always buzzing with activity, including spirited discussions around the dinner table, fueled by Bob’s insatiable curiosity, natural intellect and subtle sense of humor.

Bob attended Wesleyan University (class of ’71) as an undergraduate, followed by law school at Boston University (class of ’74). He developed a passion for political and constitutional law and interned for Senator Abe Ribicoff in Washington, DC. During his college years he married Wendy Lyon, with whom he spent 35 years as partners and remained friends until the end. Together they raised two boys, David (38) and Jonathan (34).

Although he spent the better part of a decade as an attorney, Bob eventually transitioned into real estate development, which turned out to be the perfect fit. He could imagine the possible, build the right team and reach consensus before a shovel ever hit the ground. He was motivated by a genuine desire to create better places for people to work, play and live. His visionary creation of Blue Back Square in West Hartford, Connecticut, ranks as one of the many transformational projects he inspired.

But Bob will not be remembered for what he did, but for who he was. He was proud of his boys, doted on his grandchildren, devoted to his brothers and sisters, appreciated by friends. He listened without judgment and gave generously, without expecting anything in return. Always caring. Always attentive. Always friendly.

Bob loved whiskey and he loved sports – often at the same time. He was fiercely loyal to the Michigan Wolverines (Go Blue), Detroit Lions and Boston Red Sox, although he would gracefully admit a loss as long as it was a good game. He played golf, often at the Wampanoag Country Club, where he was a member for many years, was an avid reader, loved to travel and had a keen interest in politics. In addition to his many philanthropic efforts, he served for several years as a board member of the United Way of Connecticut and championed affordable housing development as chairman of Trout Brook Realty Advisors and Governor Lamont’s Task Force on Transit-Oriented Development in Fairfield County.

But nothing gave Bob more satisfaction than doing for, giving to and gathering with the people he loved.

At the top of that list was Anthea Disney. They married last year after courting as teenagers. She brought him immense joy and comfort, holding hands from start to finish. All he wanted was more time.

In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his sons David (Michelle) and Jonathan, his brother Tom (Jane), his sister Wendy Romanow (Seth), nieces Carly (Omid Memarian), Liza White (Dr. Charles) and Ali Romanow and nephew Adam Wienner (Ceanne). And by his beloved grandchildren, Nora and James Wienner and Grace Bagley.

He will be greatly missed, fondly remembered and will always live on in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT, 06810 or via RegionalHospiceCT.org. Plans for a Celebration of Life have not yet been finalized.