Condolences to family and friends.

 

I remember going for a breeding to Abe at his house and leaving 5 hours later after listening to many, many stores. RIP Vern.

 

I fondly remember going to GA to pick him up and bring him home after Abe passed away. Mary Howley was along and the long drive back to Wisconsin was filled with many stories of field trial dogs and people of the past.
I will always cherish the card that Vern drew and sent to me when my Blue finished her FC.
Rest in peace Vern. Ethel has some chocolate chip cookies waiting for you.
Terry Roglitz

 

I will always cherish the countless stories, and memories of Vern.... Dave Smith, Vern, and myself spent a winter together when I first started working for Mike... To this day, when Dave or myself tell the story of Vern eating some hot sauce I made, in a piece of Pita bread, it is always good for a laugh... Thank you Vern for all the memories...... Im sure Ethel and Abe cant wait to see you again.

Ben

 

I remember sitting next to a very nice older gentleman who was drawing pictures on a pad of paper during one of Mike's seminars. We started talking and he told me that he was Vern Weber ( a name that I recognized immediately). Vern complemented my dog and we talked for several hours about Goldens of years gone by and of Abe. One of the more memorable experiences during my time in this pursuit and a gentleman that I have thought about on several occasions. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Weber when I ran my first Derby, following Abe to the line no less. He was very kind and supporting though it was obvious I had no clue and that I and my JH golden were in way over our heads! It was some time later that I found out who "the nice gentleman with a great lab" was.

My condolences to his freinds and family.

 

RIP Vern. Ya done good. Say hello to my Abe pup.

 

One of the finest of the finest in the trial game. Many remember "Abe" but Vern etched his name in Golden Retriever Field Champions long before his most famous Lab. Gunnermans Coin of Copper (Sam) Tioga Joe to name a couple. The stories never stopped The game has lost a great one.

Earl

 

Ditto Earl, Vern and Ethel were quite the couple...

I remember all of us running to put are dogs away when Vern would pull in to train - he was visually impaired to say the least but what a neat guy to talk to... HAHAHAHA

Wasn't Vern also insturmental in the creation of the "Callbacks" book??

 

This is a wonderful tribute...

My Most Sincere Condolences to the Family and Friends of Vern Weber,

Judy

 

I did not know him, but the praise of his friends is a testimony to the wonderful man he must have been.

Sincere condolances to those who knew him.

Earlene

 

A very special man who will be missed.

RIP Vern

 

Vern and Ethel, two of the finest people in the field trial game. Add Chief Sands (Bozo) to the list of Vern's Goldens who were fun to watch. RIP, Vern.

 

I remember Vern and Ethyl with Golden's with Dick Sampson and I had the privilege to judge when Abe got his FC at Wisconsin Am. RIP

 

I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Weber's passing. Sounds like he was quite a guy.
Gods speed.

 

I remember asking Vern one time what could he "really" see with those glasses of his??? LOL

An icon of our sport.

Angie

 

A big loss to the retriever community....... we could use a few more just like him. Heaven's gain. Our loss.

 

Thank you Mr. Lardy for posting this.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Vern.

The retriever world has obviously lost one of its icons. It is helpful for folks to get to read the memories and stories that folks can share about his life.

My condolences to Mr. Weber's friends and family.

Sincerely, Chris

 

Vernon George Weber


Born: Wednesday, August 12, 1925

Death: Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Age: 85
Vernon �Vern� Weber age 85, of Princeton passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. He was born on August 12, 1925 in Fort Atkinson the son of George and Gladys (Lumbacher) Weber. Vern married Ethel Seitz on September 26, 1946 in West Allis.

Vern's interest in sports began early in his childhood and he never lost his competitive edge. His love of hunting and fishing were a large part of who he was. He graduated from the acclaimed Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and became a graphic designer. He eventually came to own his own advertising agency, Geer Murray of Oshkosh, WI and was well respected in the business community.

But it was his love of water fowling and retrievers that would best define him. Vern loved watching and training retrievers. It is said that every man should have a chance to own one great dog... Vern owned several, including but not limited to Golden retrievers, Gunnerman's Coin of Copper, FC AFC Tioga Joe, FC Sandstorm II. His involvement in the sport of retriever field trials consumed much of his free time.

Eventually he started a second business for the development of field trial retrievers, Webshire Kennels in Larsen where he resided until his retirement in 1990. Vern was instrumental in starting Island View Retriever club in Oshkosh.

He served on the board of directors for Wisconsin Amateur Field Trial Club for many years. He gained national recognition and judged at least 55 all-age stakes, including the 1975 National Retriever Field trial in Carson City, Nevada and the 1986 National Amateur Field Trial in Bend, Oregon. His failing eyesight made it difficult for him to see his beloved Golden
retrievers, so he brought home a litter of black Labradors. From this he chose Webshires Honest Abe. Abe would go on to finish second on the national derby list and earn both field Championship (FC) and his Amateur Field Championship (AFC) as well as being a national finalist. Vern and Abe both have been inducted into the retriever hall of fame.

Vern along with wife, Ethel conceived an idea for a telephone directory for the people of the retriever sport� a labor of love, the "Callbacks" directory continues to be published today. Its popularity soon outgrew Vern's ability to keep up with it and he turned its publishing over to the Retriever Field trial news.

Upon his retirement he and Ethel chose Princeton, WI to live, where they resided together until her passing in 1995. Vern continued to live there with his black lab, Hook up to the present time. Vern stayed active in the sport of retrievers via his nephew,Norb Seitz in the earning of the AKC title Master Hunter with Hook. He found special joy tending his flower gardens, painting, decoy carving and telling stories of days gone by. His presence and competitiveness was felt across the nation...his absence will be felt even more.

Vern is survived by nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. He was also preceded in death by his parents, George and Gladys Weber; step brother, Glen Lumbacher.

A gathering of family and friends take place on Saturday April 23, 2011 at Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home, 303 West Harvard Street, in Princeton from 1:00PM-4:00PM. Burial will take place on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 10:30AM at St. John�s Catholic Cemetery in Jefferson. Please visit our website www.wachholzandsons.com to send online condolences to the family.

Wachholz and Sons Funeral Home
in Princeton Serving the Family
920-295-6631

 

Vern and Ether were two of the most delightful people I ever met. Way back then, they had some very nice goldens--FC Sandstorm II and FC/AFC Tioga Joe were the two I remember. We were just getting started in F/T's and I loved watching his dogs work. He was always generous with his help and advice will be long remembered for the good he did for this sport.
I got to see Bozo (Chief Sands) run one of his last trials when Dick Sampson (who owned him then), came to California. Bozo broke in the first series!
One "little old lady tidbit" for those golden history buffs: Tioga Joe's Grandsire was a CH, QAA and I believe he won the Peter of Woodend Trophy for being the High Point Derby dog in the early-mid 60s.

Suzanne B

 

Sounds like someone that I would have enjoyed sitting and talking to, hearing his stories and learning about dog training from. May God welcome him into Heaven, and may the Lord minister to those who loved him over his passing.

 

What a great tribute this is to Vern.

Our deepest condolences to friends and family.