Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Robert Francis Merry was born and raised in upstate New York. Soon known as Bob, he was raised by his mother Elizabeth Mary and his father Francis. His sister Ann Marie joined the family 8 years later. It was a happy childhood, although very cold with the weather off Lake Erie. Bob grew up in the small town of Batavia, between Buffalo and Rochester. As a child, he collected baseball cards, storing and cataloging hundreds of cards. His early passion was Big Band music such as Benny Goodman and Count Basie, among others. In fact, he and his friends would sneak across the Canadian border to hear the Big Band music at the Big Pavilion. To this day, Bob has a huge collection of records in mint condition.

Bob attended Catholic school throughout his childhood, playing football at Notre Dame High School, where he would go on to graduate. He was always a fan of the Fighting Irish. He was accepted into West Point, but turned it down because he had a life long dream of being a pilot. He attended engineering school at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, for two years, until being accepted as a cadet into the United States Air Force flight training program. He excelled in the flight training program until being grounded for an inner ear problem. He completed two years of service with the Air Force.

He returned to New York and worked as an engineer on the famed Niagara Power Project. Having his fill of the cold weather and with only $100 in his pocket, he hopped into his black Ford Fairlane and drove to California. He quickly landed a job with the California Division of Highways and was assigned as an engineer and surveyor on projects that we now know as the 605 freeway and the 118 freeway.

In 1962, Bob was at a party when there was a huge car accident nearby. Bob ran to the scene of the accident to help and ended up meeting one of the accident victims, Carol, who became the love of his life. Bob and Carol were married in Ensenada, Mexico in 1963. A year and a half later, the couple welcomed son, Jon, in 1964. Bob was always involved in Jon's life from little league to golf. He was an excellent father, supportive and encouraging. Jon remembers that his parents always treated him like an equal and it made a difference in his life.

In the 70's, Bob returned to his Big Band passion, by working as a DJ in restaurants and nightclubs once a week. He even filled in as a DJ on KIIS FM one night. During the day, Bob worked. He owned the Tapo Minerals Corporation and later, Bob went on to activate his real estate license, working with the Rossmoyne Realty office. Bob was actively involved in the Glendale Association of Realtors and earned Realtor of the Year in 1996. Leading meetings, he loved the challenge of keeping things focused, productive, short and to the point.

Bob's other love was traveling with his family. There were many cruises over the years and trips to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bermuda, London, and a regular favorite, New Orleans to hear the great Jazz music. Bob will best be remembered for being family-oriented, a man who was willing to learn new things and he had a positive influence on those around him. His laugh, warmth and generosity will be missed. Donations are welcome in his name to the USC Norris Cancer Center at www.norriscancerhospital.com.