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 sportďż˝ 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