Robert Burdette Meyer of Celina, TX, loving husband, father, and brother, passed peacefully on Friday, May 11, 2012, at Centennial Medical Center in Frisco, TX at age 84.
Robert (Bob) was born July 8th, 1927, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Walter Johann and Eva Marie (Flayharty) Meyer. He grew up with his parents and two sisters in the small town of Mount Union, IA, where his father provided blacksmith services to the community. Following graduation from Mount Union High School in 1944, he completed a quarter of college before enlisting in the US Navy in March of 1945 at age 17. Following his discharge in 1946, Bob returned to college and graduated from Iowa State College with the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1950. During this time, Bob completed the Navy ROTC program and entered the US Naval Reserve as an officer. Bob served aboard the destroyer USS John W. Thomason during the Korean War. After his discharge from active duty, he worked for the Sylvania Company in Dallas where he met Nancy Lee Smyth of Eddy, OK, whom he married in 1960. Following several moves and job changes, the Meyer family settled in the North Texas area. Upon his retirement from the North American Philips Company in 1993, Bob and wife Nancy moved to Kimberling City, MO. They returned to North Texas in 2010 to be closer to family.
Bob’s passions in his life were woodworking, gardening (roses), model trains, and music. He learned to play the ukulele. He was always the handyman, repairing the family car, fixing home appliances, and working on the house. For many years he would return to Iowa City to watch his beloved Iowa State Cyclones defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes in their annual football matchup.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Lee (Smyth) Meyer; sister Janice Annette Meyer of Coralville, IA; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Gretchen Marie & Kevin Brister of Tucson, AZ, Aubrie Jean Meyer of Chicago, IL, Anna Sue & Dennis Shinpaugh of Celina, TX, Katrina Alta Meyer of Denton, TX; one son, Major Dennis Walter Meyer (USA) of Plano, TX; and one granddaughter, Taylor Lee Shinpaugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jean Adele Meyer.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 6:00-8:00 pm at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Celina. A Graveside Service will be held at Cottage Hill Cemetery east of Celina, on Wednesday, May 16, at 11:00 am.