Wyoming Schools are back in session, and the friendly crossing guards are back in place helping children safely cross the streets. Wyoming recently lost one of those friendly crossing guards after almost 20 years of service. Bob Wettengel was a familiar face at the corner of Springfield Pike and Wyoming Avenue as he greeted children, parents (and dogs) while helping them safely cross that busy intersection.
To recognize Bob’s many years of service to the community, the City of Wyoming held a dedication ceremony on August 29, 2020 to officially name the Springfield Pike and Wyoming Avenue intersection as “Bob’s Corner”. Speakers included Mayor Thaddeus Hoffmeister, Council Member Zach Green, Police Chief Rusty Herzog, and Bob Wettengel’s daughter, Stephanie Revis.
Bob Wettengel was a Wyoming resident for over 50 years and he was a 2018 Citizen of the Year. In addition to his almost 20 years as a crossing guard, he also volunteered with May Fete and was active at Friendship United Methodist Church.
Speaking about her dad, Stephanie Revis said, “I’m so proud to be the daughter of someone who has left a lasting legacy filled with love. My dad was an amazing man who impacted in some small way the lives of everyone he came in contact with. He made a difference doing the small things and finding joy and love in everything.”
In addition to officially naming the intersection as “Bob’s Corner,” city representatives announced that a water fountain will be installed there with a faucet for children to fill their water bottles and another faucet for dogs to get a drink. A gumball-type dispenser is also planned to provide free dog treats, much like the tasty treats Bob often gave to dogs when he was a crossing guard. Much of the funding for the fountain and treat dispenser comes from a GoFundMe campaign (initiated by Council Member Zach Green) which raised almost $5,000 from nearly ninety donors.
Sue Lewis, a Wyoming realtor and longtime resident, attended the August 29 event. She said “the dedication ceremony was more than heart lifting. It’s a great way to recognize this longtime Wyoming resident who was a friend to many of the families and dogs in our community.”
As Zach Green summarized, “Bob represented everything that’s good about Wyoming – a love of our school kids, our dogs, and our neighbors. We now have a long-lasting, living monument that reminds us all to act more like Bob Wettengel.”
