Robert Vander Meer

Robert Charles Vander Meer

Robert Charles Vander Meer, 94, went home to the Lord on Thursday, May 30, 2024. His wife Sharon, son Rob and stepson Charles ask you to join them in celebrating the life of an amazing man who loved his family completely and dearly, and who enjoyed immensely his work as an optometrist.

In his 61-year career, he saw countless patients and gained the respect of his peers through his work as a Member of the New Mexico Optometric Association and as a member of the New Mexico Board of Optometry.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Katherine Doeksen Vander Meer, and his brothers Willis and Roy, and his niece Jan Sweetman. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sharon, his son Rob (Heather) of Albuquerque and stepson Charles Bittinger (Cindy) of Albuquerque, granddaughter Amber Bittinger of Albuquerque and grandson Charles Bittinger of Chicago.

He graduated from the University of South Dakota and Illinois College of Optometry. While in the military, he was stationed at Beaumont Hospital in El Paso and later at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo where he worked with HAM, the chimp who went into space.

Robert was in optometric practice for 61 years, 51 years as an independent practitioner, and 10 years with Eye Associates of New Mexico, where he worked until December of 2015.

He is a former president of the Rotary Club of Las Vegas and was an active member for more than 55 years.

Robert served on the New Mexico Board of Examiners in Optometry for three terms, was president and legislative chair of NMOA and voted Optometrist of the Year twice, served for 10 years on the Western Interstate Commission in Higher Education, operated private practice offices in Las Vegas, Clayton and Boise City, Okla., and worked with the Lions Club of Las Vegas for decades providing free and low-cost eye wear to children and adults in need.

As a member of First United Presbyterian Church, Las Vegas, he served as an elder, a trustee and on the financial support committee, and taught adult Christian Education classes.

Services will be Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 11 a.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church, 1000 Douglas Ave., Las Vegas, NM. A luncheon will follow. Burial will be the following day, Wednesday, June 13, 2024, 10:30 a.m., at Santa Fe Veterans' Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary 600 Reynolds Ave Las Vegas, NM.