Interview: A Moment with Dr Bob Werner
Article by Alex Thio
SCSS is thrilled to have Dr Bob Werner on this trip to Spain!
How many ophthalmologists do you know who’d take time off busy schedules to perform with a teen choral group to Spain?
Here’s a brief interview with Dr Werner (who, at the time of writing, is battling a sore throat! Get well soon, Sir!)
AT: I’m sure I can speak for Mrs Gartner when I express how thankful we are that you are part of the SCSS! Tell us why you chose to be a part of the SCSS experience to Spain this year.
BW: Ever since we returned from the last SCSS trip to Europe I had the fantasy of singing with the choir. I love to sing, and when Mrs. Gartner asked if I was interested in singing with the choir, it was a dream come true. My only hope now is that I don’t do any “solos”.
AT: Your youngest son Eric is also touring with the SCSS this year along with you. Do you think this might be a ‘bonding’ experience between you and him before he heads off to Wittenberg University as a freshman this Fall?
BW: The chance to spend more time with Eric is the most important reason for doing this. We are very close and it has been great fun learning the music and choreography together. Mary has been a big help too! Eric is very kind to allow me to do this with his friends. I know I have embarrassed him to no end.
AT: Being an ophthalmologist by profession, I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of challenges in your experience. What have been some challenges you have faced in the ‘grueling’ rehearsals at the SCSS?
BW: Rehearsals have been the most fun I have ever had. Mrs. Gartner is such an incredible person. She makes it so much fun and the rest of the choir only adds to the joy. The most grueling part is the memorization. My brain doesn’t work as well as it did in medical school when I was trying to memorize the Krebs cycle.
AT: Your enthusiasm is contagious, and your work ethic inspirational. Share with us why you think these character traits spell success in one’s life.
BW: I think Eric had the best answer for that question. He said when he grows up he wants to be like Mrs. Gartner in the sense that he wanted to be as good as she is at her profession, to have as much enthusiasm and to enjoy work as much as she does.
Dr Bob Werner recently celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary to his lovely wife Ruthanne. Together they have raised three wonderful boys all of whom graduated from Moeller High School. Their eldest son Bob currently works at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Stephen is a recent graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and currently works at the Children’s Hospital in the research lab. Their youngest son Eric (also an SCSS member) is a recent graduate of Moeller High School and heads to Wittenberg University in the Fall.
Dr Werner was born in San Diego to a career Marine. He graduated from Princeton High School and received his undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. He has run an ophthalmology practice in Clifton for 25 years.
“I feel incredibly lucky to sing with such a talented group of young adults. This choir is the most fun I have ever had, and we haven’t even left for Spain yet. Thank you Mrs Gartner.”
