Robert Mayes

Robert Anthony "Bobby" (also known to many as "Mazer") Mayes, 71, of Louisville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Baptist Health Palliative Care.
Born March 3, 1954, in Louisville, Bobby was the baby of four children born to the late Bronston T. Mayes and Katherine Finneran Mayes. He was also preceded in death by his sister Mary Sue Dinsmore, his father-in-law Dr. Robert Schweitzer, his brother-in-law Larry Martinez, and his sweet great-niece Leonora Joy Schweitzer..
He is survived by his devoted wife of 37 years, Sarah Schweitzer Mayes; his beautiful and talented daughter, Samantha Leigh Mayes (David Bowen); his brothers Tom Mayes (Mary) and Frank Mayes (Karen); mother-in-law Norma Schweitzer; brothers-in-law Bob Dinsmore and Robby Schweitzer Jr. (Melody); sisters-in-law Suzanne Martinez, Amy Johnson (Luke), and Nancy Logsdon; and his beloved canine companion, Ruby. Mazer is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
Bobby was a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes, Waggener High School, and the Louisville School of Arts, where he concentrated in screenprinting and sculpture. Mazer wore many hats throughout his life including artist, fantastic cook, carpenter and salesman. Among his proudest accomplishments were his work at the Kentucky Center for the Arts (where he also met the love of his life), designing and rebuilding his home on Brownlee, constructing a legendary childhood treehouse for his daughter, and passing his artistic torch down to Samantha.
He loved his family and friends fiercely, St. Matthews deeply, and Gunsmoke unwaveringly. He found joy in trips to Rough River, long days fishing, and relaxing on a pontoon with nowhere else to be. He also loved to travel, whether on camping trips throughout his youth or family vacations to the beaches of Cancun, St. Thomas, Aruba, and St. Martin.
Bobby's humor, creativity, and steady presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy lives on in the art he made, the home he built, the stories he told, and the people who loved him.
Visitation will be held from 1:00–4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40207. There will be no services at this time.