Robert Wald

Austin, TX

Robert Francis “Bob” Wald died December 9, 2024, at the age of 83, at The Auberge Memory Care Community in Austin, Texas.

Bob was born on October 1, 1941, to Ambrose and Kathryn (Feist) Wald in Minot ND. He spent his childhood in Karlsruhe ND and graduated from Saint John’s University in Collegeville MN in 1963.

As a true scholar, he continued studying and sharing his knowledge throughout his life. He studied theology and philosophy at two universities in Germany and at the University of Minnesota; he taught philosophy at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.

In 1992, he began studies at the University of Texas at Austin earning an MA and, in 2007, a PhD in Linguistic Anthropology. His area of expertise was Maya glyph decipherment and grammar. For almost the next 15 years, he continued researching, writing, speaking at conferences, and leading workshops. Bob is well respected in the field for his passion, capability, and contributions to understanding the Maya hieroglyphic language.

Although Bob was all about books and studying, he liked playing pool, fishing, and bowling. While the children were growing up, he worked as a software programmer and software development manager.

In 1980, he and Carolyn Shelley were married. Throughout the 44 years of their marriage, he was a devoted, supportive, and, above all, loving husband. For his children and grandchildren, he was patient, helpful, and very interested in their activities.

Bob was preceded in death by his sisters, Audrey Engelhard, Mildred Bartsch, and Valerie Wald and by his brother, Tim Wald.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carolyn Shelley; children: Thomas Wald (Lea), Austin TX and Stephanie Christmann; stepchildren: David Bloom, Austin TX and Laurie Bloom-Vavra (Vilem), Morris MN; grandchildren: Jesse Vavra (Harley), Valley City ND, Wyatt Vavra, Morris MN and Jessica Christmann; great grandson: Vilem Vavra III, Valley City ND; brothers: Donald Wald (Bertha), Minot ND and Brian Wald (Bonnie), New Town ND; sisters: Linda Spaulding, Deerfield Beach FL, Sandra Valensky (Carl), Waterford MI, and Ramona Miller, Velva ND; brother-in-law: Charles Bartsch, Bismarck ND; sister-in-law: Gerri Wald, Arlington TX; and their families.

A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Senior Citizen Center, 122 Main St. N, Velva ND starting at 11 AM.

For those who would like to give in memory of Bob, donations may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (http://www.theaftd.org/), the American Indian College Fund (http://www.collegefund.org) or the charity of your choice.

Published by The Minot Daily News, February 1, 2025.