Rev. Robert B. Meyer

The Rev. Canon Robert B. Meyer Ph.D., age 88, of Tremont, died Friday, June 2, 2023, at River Crossing of East Peoria.

Born March 2, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio to Walter D. and Vera Kilburn Meyer.  He married Robin Witwer, February 3, 1962. She passed away July 5, 2020.  He is survived by his daughter Valerie (James) Moore, grandsons Nate (Carisa) Danz, Matt Moore, Jason Moore, and great-granddaughter Emerson Lehnert.  He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Albion Gabrielle, one brother, Dr. Walter L. Meyer, and his parents.

A graduate of Oberlin College, he earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Duke University in. 1961.  After post-doctoral studies at Duke and Ohio State University, he joined the faculty at Monmouth College, IL in 1962 where he attained the rank of Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry.  He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Phi Lambda Upsilon honorary societies, and a 65-year member of the American Chemical Society.

In 1968, he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church (New York City) and received his M.Div. in 1971.  He was ordained Deacon in April 1971 and Priest in October 1971 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Peoria, by the Rt. Rev. Francis William Lickfield, 5th Bishop of Quincy.  He served churches in the Dioceses of Quincy (IL), West Missouri, and Fond du Lac (WI).  He retired from parochial ministry in 1995 but assisted at numerous churches in his retirement, including St. Paul’s Cathedral in Peoria.  He was made an honorary Canon of the Cathedral in May 2001.  He received the Order of St Paul award for distinguished service to the Diocese of Quincy in 1978 and was deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1979.  He was chaplain of the Lewistown Volunteer Fire Department from 1977-1981 and was a member of the panning committee for the new Fire Department building in St. Germain, WI.  He served as chaplain to medical missionary trips to Haiti in 1978 and 1979.  He was active in Cursillo in Peoria and elsewhere.  He served on the Cursillo Secretariat in West Missouri and northeast Wisconsin.  He was Priest Associate of the Western Province of the Community of St. Mary.  He enjoyed gardening, stamp collecting, and woodworking.  He was a member of the American Philatelic Society and a former member of the Peoria Area Woodworkers Club

A Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday, June 27 at 11:00AM.  Visitation will be at the church beginning one hour before the service.  Cremation rites have been accorded and inurnment will be in Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor, OH at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Tremont Rescue 702, or a charity of the donor’s choice. 

To express condolences online visit www.davisoswaldfh.com.

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