•Weitzel, Robert L., Caledonia/Miami, FL: “A dream come true .. a golf course is born”
The founder, owner, and CEO of Caledonia Country Club for 52 years passed away peacefully in his Miami home with his loving family on March 17 , 2015, just prior to his 89th birthday, the first day of spring.
Born in Sinking Spring, PA. he was one of nine children. He was extremely proud of his PA Dutch background and humble beginnings in life. He instilled in all his children & grandchildren a deep respect for money, a hard work ethic, perseverance, and a love of family.
In 1959, Bob & his late wife Josephine, purchased a 125 acre farm in Caledonia, NY known as” Malloch Hill” with the dream of building an 18 hole golf course. The Weitzel family from 1959-1963 worked to change the farmland into fairways. Bob on his bulldozer & tractor transformed the good earth into breath taking tees and greens with 360 degree views. His five children helped by picking endless limestone rocks from the fields and planting hundreds of little pine trees to line the fairways under Bob’s careful supervision. The cow barn, a historic Well’s barn, was designed into the Club House, visible today at 313 Park Place. The barn for many years proudly displayed Bob and Jo’s PA Dutch roots with Amish Hex signs. The symbols represented love, luck, & a bountiful life which all came true for the Weitzels. The first 9 holes opened May 30, 1963. With an eye towards the future, Bob then purchased more property on Barks Rd. which became the backbone of what is now the second nine. The completion of the 18 hole tract became a reality in 1977 and an 18 hole golf course was born. Bob enjoyed, up until the age of 89, owning and operating the club. Bob was the boss and everyone knew it. He could often be seen, even in his later years, driving around the course in his golf cart making mental to do lists to improve the holes. Today the 18 hole championship golf course serves as a lasting legacy to Bob Weitzel-dreams do come true.
Bob was pre deceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Josephine Crossman Weitzel, a grandson: Daniel Robert Weitzel, brothers: Charles, William, Paul and Johnny Weitzel and sister: Arlene Kocher.
Bob is survived by his five children: Alan Weitzel, husband of Jacquie of Miami, Fl., Tanya Wilkie, wife of Bob of Sunapee, NH., Patti Jo Weitzel-Foye, wife of Tim of Crestline, CA, Scott Weitzel, husband of Vicky of Hornell, NY and Toby Weitzel, husband of Mindy Falzarano of Steamboa , CO; brother: Jay Weitzel and sisters: Betty Uhler and Marion Weitzel; 8 grandchildren: Dr. Matthew Weitzel , husband of Laurie, Todd Weitzel, husband of Corrie, Heather Huff, wife of Darren, Meghan Wilkie, wife of William Hutchins, Rory Wilkie , Corey Jo Foye, Ryan Foye, Rebecca Weitzel. 8 great grand children Luke, Jonathan & Josephine Weitzel , Gabrielle and Ella Josephine Weitzel, Andrew, Madden & Reese Huff .
A graveside service will be held at Sinking Spring Cemetery on Friday, March 27, 2015 at 2:00PM. A celebration of life for friends and family will be held at Caledonia Country Club on Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 3-5:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Richmond Friends of the Homeless, (formerly Mammy Weitzel’s Food Kitchen ) 4600 Jaydee Dr. Moseley, VA 23120 in memory of Bob Weitzel.
Bean Funeral Homes of Sinking Spring is in charge of arrangements; online condolences may be made at www.beanfuneralhomes.com
