1925
Robert
2019
Robert Charles Wagner
November 4, 1925 — March 15, 2019
Robert “Wags” Wagner, of West Chester, age 93, died March 15 following a short illness. He is survived by his brother (Jerome), children Christopher (Claire), Timothy (Fran), Claudia (Peter Katz) and Perry (Sue), grandchildren Erin (July Duval), Max (Annie), Calvin, Nick, Will, Benno, Emma, Charlie, Juliana, Sophie, Andrew and Grace and great grandchildren Kaiser, Iris, Vaughan and Mia. He is preceded in death by wife Annie in 2013, son Daniel (Ellen) in 2002, and two brothers (Claude and Thomas).
Wags was born and raised in Clifton. He attended Annunciation Elementary School and was a graduate of Roger Bacon High School’s class of 1943. His college entry was delayed by a two-year stint in the US Army, serving in the Pacific Theater on the island of Tinian.
On his return to Cincinnati, he met and married his lifetime love, Annie. They settled in Monfort Heights and began their family. They were active in many Saint Ignatius Parish functions. Wags coached baseball, which eventually grew to a leading role as president of the Monfort Heights Athletic Association. He loved being in daily contact with the hundreds of players, their parents, coaches and umpires.
His career as a group insurance salesman for Equitable resulted in a late-career move to New York City. He and Annie mastered the subway system, saw Broadway shows, and attended live jazz and big band performances. Wags spent an astounding one-third of his life in retirement. He and Annie loved to visit Hawaii, attend numerous jazz festivals and travel to spring training games accompanied by any grandchild willing and able to go.
His “golden years” were spent as a sound engineer and co-producer for Annie’s two renowned radio
shows: WVXU’s “When Swing Was King” and “The Song Shop” on WMKV from 1995-2006.
He was a quiet force in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, coworkers, friends and neighbors. He was a skilled salesman, patient mentor, indefatigable father, hanger of sheetrock, designer of backyard patios, self-taught master of the baritone ukulele, and patron of the pun. Most of all, he was the perfect foil for his wife of 60 years - sidekick, audience and partner in crafting a home full of baseball, music, and laughter.
Visitation is at 9 AM, Saturday, March 23, at Hodapp Funeral Home, 7401 Vine St., Cincinnati. Service begins at 10:30 AM. Private burial will follow.
To honor Wags' memory, the family suggests contributions to the Annie Wagner Music Scholarship
Fund, 602 Main St., Suite 1000, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or to The Cincinnati Musicians’ Association
(Local 1, American Federation of Musicians), 644 Linn St., Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45203.
Wags was born and raised in Clifton. He attended Annunciation Elementary School and was a graduate of Roger Bacon High School’s class of 1943. His college entry was delayed by a two-year stint in the US Army, serving in the Pacific Theater on the island of Tinian.
On his return to Cincinnati, he met and married his lifetime love, Annie. They settled in Monfort Heights and began their family. They were active in many Saint Ignatius Parish functions. Wags coached baseball, which eventually grew to a leading role as president of the Monfort Heights Athletic Association. He loved being in daily contact with the hundreds of players, their parents, coaches and umpires.
His career as a group insurance salesman for Equitable resulted in a late-career move to New York City. He and Annie mastered the subway system, saw Broadway shows, and attended live jazz and big band performances. Wags spent an astounding one-third of his life in retirement. He and Annie loved to visit Hawaii, attend numerous jazz festivals and travel to spring training games accompanied by any grandchild willing and able to go.
His “golden years” were spent as a sound engineer and co-producer for Annie’s two renowned radio
shows: WVXU’s “When Swing Was King” and “The Song Shop” on WMKV from 1995-2006.
He was a quiet force in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, coworkers, friends and neighbors. He was a skilled salesman, patient mentor, indefatigable father, hanger of sheetrock, designer of backyard patios, self-taught master of the baritone ukulele, and patron of the pun. Most of all, he was the perfect foil for his wife of 60 years - sidekick, audience and partner in crafting a home full of baseball, music, and laughter.
Visitation is at 9 AM, Saturday, March 23, at Hodapp Funeral Home, 7401 Vine St., Cincinnati. Service begins at 10:30 AM. Private burial will follow.
To honor Wags' memory, the family suggests contributions to the Annie Wagner Music Scholarship
Fund, 602 Main St., Suite 1000, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or to The Cincinnati Musicians’ Association
(Local 1, American Federation of Musicians), 644 Linn St., Suite 1200, Cincinnati, OH 45203.
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