Weiss, former educator and CCISD trustee, to be remembered Thursday

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

Robert “Bob” Weiss dedicated more than 50 of his 80 years of life to children, prior to passing away on Thursday. 
Last Tuesday, Weiss was being celebrated with a reception and was preparing to turn over Place 5 on the board to his successor, when he suffered a medical emergency. 
Board of Trustees President Joan Manning said this was something they did not expect while they were preparing to say farewell to Weiss. 
“I knew him on the board as a teacher and principal, and also when I was PTA president at the Avenue E School when my boys were young and in school. He had the driest sense of humor. The way he joked was almost serious, and other people would believe it, because he was so believable,” Manning said.
She remembered Weiss not only for his dedication to students, but also for his thoughtful approach as a trustee. 
“When Bob spoke, everyone listened. On Tuesday, he paused, and I thought he was catching his words, because that’s how Bob was. He thought carefully before he spoke,” Manning said, adding that knowing of Weiss’ faith was a comfort and hope at this time.  
Weiss was an accomplished artist, and Manning plans to treasure the handcrafted pottery made by Weiss that she purchased from him over the years.  
“When you walk in the administration building, the first thing you see is one of his prints of the Avenue E school, how it used to look.”
Weiss started teaching in Copperas Cove in 1963 after earning his degree in 1963 from Southwest Texas State University, and went on to get his Master of Education. After 10 years of teaching, he became the principal of Avenue E Elementary School and then was appointed principal of Lovett Ledger Intermediate School. In 1999, he retired after 36 years in education.
A memorial service for Weiss is set for Thursday, Nov. 21, at Grace United Methodist Church at 3 p.m.