Robert Meyer, 86, Byron

Robert D. Meyer, 86, died on Oct. 22, 2016, following a lengthy illness with congestive heart failure. He passed away in his home at Madonna Summit of Byron, where he and his wife Carol became the first assisted living residents, on Memorial Day weekend of this year.
Bob was born on Sept. 3, 1930, in Preston Village in Fillmore County, to Ernest and Marguerite (Gee) Meyer. He grew up on the family farm in rural Wykoff, Minn. He graduated from Wykoff High School in 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950, serving four years. This included duty overseas in England. Robert was married on March 8, 1952, at the Evangelical United Bretheran Church in Cherry Grove, Minn., to Carol Ann Ruesink. The couple lived in England and moved to Rochester after Bob’s discharge.  Bob was employed at SM Electrical Supply as a sales clerk and at Marigold Dairy as a route driver, both in Rochester. He was employed at Ryan Electric for a few years and then Luck Electric, both in Rochester.  The Meyer family moved to rural Byron in 1968, where they continued to make their home for many years. In 1973, they started Bob’s Countryside Electric, which Bob and Carol owned and operated for 35 years. 
Bob was an active member of South Zumbro Lutheran Church, serving on numerous boards. He was a member of the Southeastern Minnesota Bowhunters Association, the National Rifle Association and was a lifetime member of the Byron American Legion Post 119.  He was a member of the Southeastern Minnesota Saddle Club. With Carol, he raised and showed quarter horses for a number of years. He was an avid hunter, especially with a bow, enjoyed fishing whenever possible and was a Minnesota Vikings and Twins fan. Bob always enjoyed visiting with friends and loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 
Bob is survived by his wife, Carol; three daughters; Bridget (Don) Bubendorf of Rochester, Sherri (Fred) Diercks of Zumbro Falls and Deb (Mike) Yennie of Park Rapids; two sons, Robert Meyer Jr. of Byron and Jeff (Deb) Meyer of Mantorville; 12 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; his sister, Margie Peterson of Wykoff; brothers Ernest (Jeannie) Meyer Jr. of Wykoff and Harold (Carolyn) Meyer of Byron and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard Meyer and John Meyer. 
The funeral service for Bob will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, at South Zumbro Lutheran Church in rural Kasson, with Rev. Mark Schwartz officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A time of visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at South Zumbro Lutheran Church on Thursday afternoon. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville.