Robert W. Merdler

Robert W. Merdler, 78, of Saginaw passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Covenant Healthcare Harrison 6th Floor ICU after a lengthy illness. His wife was his caregiver for over four years.

He was born in Saginaw on January 25, 1942 to Henry and Miriam (Rothner) Merdler.On August 6, 2000 in Saginaw he married Lillian Cook Chisholm after courting her for 11 years. Robert attended Webber Junior High and was active in their amateur radio club. He graduated from Saginaw High School with the Class of 1960. He attended Bay City Junior College and then attended Delta College.

He was a licensed HAM radio operator with the American Radio Relay League most of his life. His call letters were K8AQA. He enjoyed working with electronics and later building his own computers. Robert worked at Saginaw County starting in the maintenance department and worked his way up to the Saginaw County Emergency Service Coordinator.

Robert is survived by his wife Lillian; his brother. Michael Merdler; his sister Margo (Robert) Walker; Step-son Scott (Gennine) Chisholm; Step-granddaughter Jackie (Joe) Lamont; Sister-in-laws Edna Cook; Cheryl Cook; Chris (Kevin) Lombard; Valerie (Scott) Snyder; Michele (Ray) Rettig and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law William and Ruth Cook; brothers-in-laws David Cook and Allen Cook.

Due to the limitations imposed by the Coronavirus, a memorial service will be held in Saginaw at a later date. Family services will be held on Saturday April 11, 2020 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Burial will follow at North Star Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family to be determined at a later date.

Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Comments

[Lynn Favara]

Lillian: I am so sorry to hear about Bob’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please take care in this very trying time.

[Vickie Stuart]

I’m so very sorry Lillian. You two made a perfect couple. May your many memories bring you comfort. 🙏🤬

[Jon Mersman]

I am so sorry Lillian, I hope you can overcome the loss. Since I got to witness your love story it is so sad to see it end here on earth. I hope that you will be able to find some comfort from your family and friends during these strange times. Bob and I once participated in an emergency preparedness workshop at which the subject was a national pandemic. We discussed how it seemed a little farfetched, but Bob in his usual thoughtful way indicated that it was very possible and that it was right to be prepared for anything. He will be missed and I am sure you will miss him the most. Please accept my deepest condolences.

[Deb Fish]

Ed and I are so sorry for your loss. We was we could be there for you. Love always

[Julie Ballard]

Lillian, may God hold you in the palm of His hand, and give you peace....Amen

[Gordon Bean]

Dear Lillian, We have never formally met, though I have known Bob for 63 years. I am sorry for your loss of Bob. As I previously lived at Saginaw and was involved with Ham Radio / Saginaw County Civil Defense , I remember Bob's passionate devotion to that organization as I too was a member. Please look up and view a memorial I have placed on an Amateur Radio National web site. Here, www.silentkeyhq.com you may look up that memorial with pictures by entering his Federal Amateur Radio License using call sign of K8AQA. Bob's memory will live on within the Amateur Radio Community. A deceased Amateur Radio Operator is known as a 'Silent-Key'. Very Truly Yours K8MRS.

[Terry & Karen (Gearhart) Nestle]

To all of the Cook and Merdler families-our deepest and prayers to you at the difficult time. Take care.

[David Cable]

Lillian: My deepest condolences on your loss. Bob was a pleasure to work with at Saginaw County, thoughtful, informed, organized, and calm. You are in my prayers.

[karen whitaker]

May Bob rest in peace, may you Lillian be comforted in this sorrowful time in your life as peace fills your heart with fond memories and joyful times.

[David Shauger]

I want to express my sincere sympathies for your loss. I was a close friend of Mike's in High School and came to know Robert as a result of that friendship. He was always quick to answer all of my questions about Ham radio. The knowledge he gave me regarding the electronics involved was partially responsible for my skill choices in life. I became the leading communication technician for the sixth fleet in the US Navy and went on to become Senior Field Service engineer for Bausch & Lomb, Fisons, Applied Research Laboratories and Thermo Fisher Scientific. I cherish the memories of the time we spent together in that small upstairs room with all the equipment and a huge antenna just outside the window which was taller than the house itself! Thank you, Bob for teaching me the difference between a long wire and a dipole antenna. Although we went our separate ways, I will always remember your laugh and energy. I thank God I had the privilege of knowing you. Rest in peace my eternal friend! We will meet again. My sincere condolences to all.