Robert W. Botamer

1923 - 2010

AMHERST - Robert W. Botamer, age 86 and a resident of Amherst, died Friday, October 22, 2010 at his residence after a lengthy illness.
Bob was born in Elyria, October 26, 1923 to the late Walter R. and Edith S. (nee Hoard) Botamer. He was a graduate of Elyria High School, Class of 1941. During high school, Bob played the alto saxaphone in the high school's dance band.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center near Chicago. He followed basic training with advanced schooling as a machinist in New Orleans. Bob was then shipped out to Pearl Harbor, where he worked in an administrative capacity in a drafting department. When this assignment was completed, he was assigned to the U.S. Hoga as chief engineer and was a harbor master. Bob was promoted to 2nd Class Petty Officer upon discharge from the Navy in June 1946.
When Bob came home from the service he was employed at U.S. Steel Corporation, Lorain. He worked there for 37 years, retiring in 1983, and had spent the last 17 years as a foreman of the #1 machine shop.
While raising his children along with his wife Betty, Bob was Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 427 in Amherst, which held their meetings at the American Legion Post 118 on Middle Ridge Road, Amherst. As a family they enjoyed camping, fishing and boating. Bob also liked to golf.
In retirement Bob and Betty became snowbirds, wintering in Punta Gorda, Florida and spending the summers here in Amherst. Over the years, they travelled with their motorhome, coast to coast.
Bob's love of boating encompassed his life and he was past commodore of the Beaver Creek Boat Club, Lorain, where he was a current and long-time member. He was also a life member (62 years) of American Legion Poast 118, Amherst.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 64 years, BettyJ. (nee Hollingsworth); three children; James Botamer of Amherst, Bonnie (husband, Ted) Zunis of Berlin Heights, Thomas Botamer of Minneapolis, Minnesota; three grandchlildren; Jake Botamer of Hawaii, John (wife, Ashley) Zunis of Berlin Heights, Vicki (husband, Scott) Hillman of Huron; and three great grandchildren; Cooper Zunis and Aubree Zunis, and Allison Hillman.
Family will receive friends at the Garland-Misencik Funeral Home, 851 Park Avenue, Amherst, Wednesday, 4 p.m. until time of funeral service at 6 p.m. Private family interment in Crown Hill Cemetery, Amherst.
Bob's family would like to thank New Life Hospice of St. Joseph for the generous care he received and is asking that memorials in his name be made to New Life Hospice, 5255 North Abbe Road, Elyria, OH 44035.