Robert W. Melmer, 85, of Oneonta, passed away at home on May 8, 2020.

Bob was born on October 5, 1934 in Lake Andes, South Dakota, the son of John J. and Kathryn (Straka) Melmer.

In 1942 his family moved to Endicott, New York, where they owned and operated a grocery store.

He married Josephine Lebenick on August 16, 1958, in New Berlin, NY. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2019.

Bob graduated from Union Endicott High School in 1952 and from SUNY Oneonta in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in education. He taught fifth and sixth grade classes in the Patchogue School District on Long Island and at Maine Endwell in Endicott. Having the opportunity to own Jerry's Restaurant in Oneonta, he went into business with his father and brother for ten years. In 1995 he retired as manager of the Otsego County DMV of Oneonta.

Bob was a member of the Army National Guard of NYS. He belonged to the American Legion, the Elks Club and the Moose Club and enjoyed meeting his friends there. Among his favorite pastimes were fishing, playing golf, target shooting, and watching westerns on television.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Jo, of Oneonta; a son, Robert M. Melmer of Black Canyon City, Arizona; sister-in-law, Rosalie Lebenick; brother-in-law Frank Lebenick; nieces, Marilyn (Susan) Dispensa and Carol (Joe) Menditto; nephew, James Dispensa, and grandnephews, Donato, Matteo, Joseph, and Michael Mignone.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, John E. Melmer.

A private burial for the family will be held at Fairview Cemetery in New Berlin, New York.

To sign the online guestbook, visit, www.lhpfuneralhome.com , the website of Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.