Posted on: Wednesday, July 24, 2002

Bob Wernet, press secretary to Gov. Ariyoshi, dead at 60

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Robert M. "Bob" Wernet, a television journalist who became press secretary for former Gov. George Ariyoshi and former U.S. Rep. Pat Saiki, died Sunday at his home in Fort Washington, Md., after a long battle with cancer. He was 60.

Wernet earned his master's degree from Regis College in his city of birth, Denver, and went on to a career that included two years in the Peace Corps starting in 1964 and then political reporting with KITV and KGMB in Honolulu.

Wernet served as press secretary for Ariyoshi in 1973-74 when Ariyoshi was lieutenant governor and in 1980-86 when he was governor. Wernet became press secretary for Saiki in 1989.

Wernet held positions as public information and special projects administrator for the East-West Center in Honolulu and public affairs adviser to the administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. He was the Washington correspondent for Hawai'i Travel Magazine and photo editor for Island Heritage Publications.

Wernet also worked on the political campaigns of D.G. "Andy" Anderson for mayor in 1972 and former Gov. William Quinn for U.S. Senate in 1976.

Wernet served as correspondent on the battleship USS New Jersey's homecoming voyage from Bremerton, Wash., through the Panama Canal to Philadelphia in 1999. He also served as correspondent on the battleship USS Missouri's final journey from Bremerton to Pearl Harbor in 1998.

Wernet is survived by his wife of 33 years, Lois A. Wernet, and his sister, Roseann Bush of Denver.

Funeral services are pending.