Meyer, Robert, RD3

          After leaving the Navy, Bob worked as an Air Traffic Contoller for the FAA.  From 1985 to 2005 he worked for The US Customs Service, retiring with 35 years of credited Federal service.
   
          Bob was an active Mason as a member of his local lodge in North Tonawanda, New York.  Bobs self depreciating sence of humor was legendary.  His loud, deep booming voice and gruff exterior, hid a gentle loving, caring man, who was a great family man, and a friend to all..........all that is, execept EXTREME LEFT WING LIBERALS, Card Carrying Communists, drug smugglers and other such members of the criminal element.  
 
            A series of health issues caught up to Bob in recent months and he passed away, peacefully on 12-23-2013, surrounded by family.  He was loved greatly and is allready missed.

             The "Blue Star" Flag  in Bobs Unofficial Badges reprents Bobs sons that served in the Marine Corps during Operation Enduring Freedom.  
         
  
   

       My  US Customs Service co-worker, Robert (Bob or Rob) Meyer was the kind of friend that comes along rarely.  He was a man who left an impression on all who met and knew him. At the Customs Service Port of Buffalo, he was a friend and mentor to countless new and  seasoned veteran Customs Inspectors.  He became sort of a living legend at times, not only for his inspectional knowledge and skills, but for standing up for fellow employees as our Chief Union Steward for the local chpater of NTEU.  His battles with management were the stuff of legends.  But Bobs firendly and outgoing manner had even his harshest critics charmed after negotiations were over.   
     
       After Bob left the Navy in 1971 he later went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air Traffic Controller.  He was a member of the PATCO Union, and was part of the group of  Air Controlllers fired in the 1981 labor dispute.  He joined the US Customs Service in 1985.  He was a top notch Inspector credited with numerous siezures and resulting arrests.  Bob was never too important to teach new hires such as myself.  We served together on the ports "Outbound Enforcement - Contraband Enforcement Team" from 1999-2000.  His example was the one I wished to follow, as I later taught new hires the job.  I wish I could be just half the Inspector Bob was. 

         Bob was proud of his US Navy service.  We talked often about his days onboard ORISKANY during Bobs cruises to the Tonkin Gulf during the Viet Nam War. He used that experience as a ships company Radarman to qulaify for the Air Traffic Contollers job, a job he held untill dimsissed in the mass firing of PATCO controllers in 1981. 

          Bob was a loving husband, father of four, grandfather of seven, uncle to many.   He enjoyed sports, as a fan of the Buffalo Sabres, New York Yankees, and his most beloved Cleveland Browns. He was a staunch Patriot, Hard right Republican who loved to debate political issues with friends and co-workers.  Even those with differing opinions on the issues could not help but enjoy Bobs passion and  sence of self depreciating humor, in all discussion situations.  His debate skills were backed by his in depth research,  subject knowledge, strong beliefs, and skill at debate and pleasant conversation.  I could fill pages with Bobs attributes.  He was too humble to accept them.  All who  knew him would tend to agree with my assessments. 

                Fair Winds and Following Seas  my Navy and US Customs Bruddah.  You were one of THE best!

                                                                                                                                          AW1 Carl Mottern USNR, RET
                                                                                                                                                      USCI / USCBPO