ROBERT HARRINGTON WERME, SR. was born in Norwalk Hospital on October 3, 1926, and died peacefully on July 14th in his home at 1 Cricklewood Lane, Norwalk, in the company of many members of his family. He was the widower of Nedra, who predeceased him on August 1, 2012. He was the son of Ray and Lois (Marsh) Werme, and younger brother of John Vernon Werme. The family lived on Main Avenue (the current site of the Hilton Garden Inn). "Bob" attended Center Junior High School, and Norwalk High School, graduating in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, trained at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Fort Benning, Georgia where he received jump training. He was sent to the Philippine Islands and spent time in Japan. He earned the rank of Master Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1946. Following his enlistment and the end of World War II, Robert applied to and was admitted to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on the GI Bill. There he met and married Nedra Elaine Ohmstede on June 26, 1949, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree. After their first child was born in 1951, they moved to Plymouth, Michigan where Robert taught 5th grade English and 8th grade geography in the public school for two years. He also sold Vita-Craft pots and pans, conducting home demonstrations for newly-weds and co-eds. In 1954, he returned to Norwalk with his wife and two sons, Robert, Jr. and Kim Edward, to join his father's business, the Norwalk Electric Company (NEC). Robert soon became President of the company, and continued in that position until retirement in 1991. During his presidency, the company built a strong reputation, and numbered among its many customers the City of Norwalk, King Industries, Famous Artist Schools and Pepperidge Farm. NEC sponsored a boys' baseball team in the Cranbury League, which Bob managed and coached himself. Bob loved the New Jersey shore, spent summers there as a boy, and shared that joy with his children and grandchildren. He loved music, especially big band music from the swing era, and the comedic stylings of Danny Kaye and Cab Calloway. Bob was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He and his family were active members of the First Congregational Church on the Green. He is survived by his four children: Robert, Jr. and his wife, Robin Demeule Werme; Kim Werme; Dawn Werme Pratson and her husband, Edward "Skip" Fischer; and Arden Donahue; 11 grandchildren and step-grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 19th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church on the Green. Donations may be made in his name to Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut.
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