- Date Of Birth: October 8, 1924
- Date Of Death: April 26, 2021
- State: Texas
Robert James (Bob) Whelan of Boerne, Texas died on Monday, April 26, 2021, after a brief illness; he was surrounded by his loving family, friends, and his caring wife of 70 years, Jane Cavanaugh Whelan. Bob was 96 years old.
Robert J. Whelan was born on October 8, 1924 in Trenton, New Jersey to Helen & Aloysius “Lou” Whelan. Bob and his five siblings, Jane, Junior, Eileen, Jack, and Ann grew up in Washington Crossing on the Delaware River. Bob loved retelling stories of his childhood sports of tennis, soccer, and his many friendships. Bob or also affectionately known as “RJ” graduated from Pennington Prep School in 1942 and then enlisted in the US Marine Corps where he served with distinction in the Pacific Theatre in World War II, being honorably discharged on December 14, 1945. Bob graduated from University of Iowa with a Bachelor in Science and then moving back home, attended Seton Hall University where he obtained his Masters of Art degree. Bob fondly remembered playing college basketball at Iowa as a standout player and “set shot” athlete. But it was at Seton Hall where Bob met the love of his life, Jane Patricia Cavanaugh and they were married on March 4, 1951. The newlyweds moved then to San Francisco where Bob had started his career as a newly minted FBI agent, his most prized career move. Bob served faithfully in the FBI in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York as a Special Agent of the FBI (1950-1959). Bob and Jane moved back to New Jersey where all three Whelan children were born. It was during this time that Bob entered the private sector as the co-founder and senior executive of Whelan Manufacturing Company, specializing in construction projects in the United States and Europe. But Bob always was drawn to and remained active in the service, security and investigative fields. Bob or “RJ” served as Director of Security for the World Football and the World Hockey Leagues. He was a security advisor to the NFL (New York Giants Football Club) and NBA (New Jersey Nets). In the State of New Jersey, he was a Commissioner for both the Economic Development Council and the Legalized Games of Chance. He was a member of the Security Advisory Committee of the Presidential Inaugural Commission for Presidents Reagan, HW Bush, Clinton, and GW Bush. We all fondly remember meeting both HW and GW Bush at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas, all due to RJ’s influence.
After retirement, Bob & Jane moved to Boerne, Texas in 1996 where they lived an active lifestyle with new friends all the while loving the Texas experience. He continued his work in the security field and was Director of Security for Don Strange, Inc.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jane, and their loving children, Michael R. Whelan of New York (wife Josephine “Dodie” Gumaer), Joan Whelan Angulo of Chicago (husband Jaime Angulo, grandchildren Katie and Jackie), and Patricia Whelan Schenck of Albuquerque (husband Robert Schenck, grandchildren, Lillian, Augustus, Helen, George, and Marian). The family would like to thank Bob’s wonderful caregivers over the past several years and final months. We would especially like to thank Brandon Cobb, RN, Drs. Bradley Kayser and John Galan, as well as the many Home Instead caregivers. Our sincerest gratitude for all you did for Bob Whelan and the Whelan Family. Thank you.
