Robert Paul Odenweller

September 19, 1938 – May 26, 2026

Robert (Bob) Paul Odenweller, distinguished philatelist, author, editor, exhibitor, and internationally respected authority on the stamps and postal history of New Zealand and Samoa, passed away at the age of 87.

Born on September 19, 1938, in Colón, Panama Canal Zone, Bob was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Joseph Odenweller Jr., a career United States Army officer, and Robina Katherine Watson Odenweller. Raised in a military family, he grew up alongside his siblings Charles, Peter, and Robin.

Bob attended Swarthmore College before transferring to the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and served as a pilot, attaining the rank of captain before leaving military service in 1966.

Following his Air Force career, Bob devoted himself to philately, a field in which he would become one of the world’s foremost scholars and leaders. Joining the Collectors Club of New York in 1964 and the American Philatelic Society in 1968, he quickly established a reputation for meticulous research, intellectual rigor, and a passion for sharing knowledge.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Bob authored landmark works that transformed the study of Pacific philately. His books The Stamps and Postal History of Nineteenth Century Samoa (2004) and The Postage Stamps of New Zealand 1855–1873: The Chalon Head Issues (2009) remain essential references for collectors and historians worldwide. He also wrote extensively for leading philatelic journals and served for more than twenty-five years as a columnist for The Philatelic Exhibitor.

Known to friends and fellow philatelist as “Bob” his leadership extended throughout the philatelic community. He served as editor of the Collectors Club Philatelist from 2005 to 2012, guiding the publication through its transition to full-color production. He held numerous positions within the American Philatelic Society, the Philatelic Foundation, the Association Internationale des Experts en Philatélie, the Collectors Club of New York, and the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie. As an accredited judge, expertizer, mentor, and organizational leader, he influenced generations of collectors and researchers.

His scholarship and service earned many of philately’s highest honors. In 1991, he signed the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists, one of the field’s most prestigious recognitions. He received the Alfred F. Lichtenstein Memorial Award, the American Philatelic Society’s Luff Award for Distinguished Philatelic Contributions, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum’s Philatelic Achievement Award, the Royal Philatelic Society London’s Crawford Medal, and numerous other international distinctions. He was named an Honorary Fellow of both the Royal Philatelic Society London and the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand.

As an exhibitor, Bob achieved extraordinary success, winning the American Philatelic Society’s Champion of Champions award in 1973 and the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie Grand Prix d’Honneur in 1980. His exhibits on Samoa and New Zealand set enduring standards for philatelic research and presentation.

Beyond his achievements, Bob was known for his generosity, integrity, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to advancing philatelic knowledge. Through his writings, exhibits, expert opinions, and leadership, he helped shape modern philately and inspired collectors around the globe.

He leaves behind a legacy in the philatelic community and among all who benefited from his scholarship, friendship, and dedication to the preservation of postal history. His contributions will continue to inform and inspire future generations of collectors, researchers, and historians.

Memorial contributions may be made to philatelic research organizations, libraries, or educational institutions dedicated to the study and preservation of postal history.

Robert P. Odenweller is survived by his loving wife, Jane; his children, Liesl and Joy and grandchildren, Anna and Keoki.