ROBERT LACKMEYER

Lackmeyer Nov 16, 1940 - Dec 6, 2012 OKLAHOMA CITY Robert Edward Lackmeyer, father of four, lifelong seeker of old-fashioned American tourist adventures and Certified Public Accountant, died Thursday. He was 72, but in his heart he wasn't quite ready to turn age 60.Robert was born in Lindenhurst, N.Y., to Otto and Carolyn Lackmeyer. After a stint in the Air Force, he married Estelle Myers and started a family in the cradle of modern suburbia known as Levittown in Hicksville, N.Y.Armed with a degree from C.W. Post College, where he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors, Robert worked his way up the corporate ladder at J.D. Posillico, one of New York's largest contractors. He represented the company in several developments in Oklahoma City, including the construction of Willow Cliff Apartments and the Sheraton Century Center Hotel.After the opening of the Sheraton, Robert moved his family to Oklahoma City and remained active in the local business community for several years before returning to New York with his wife and three younger children in 1988. They subsequently returned in 1996 to their adopted home in Oklahoma.As a husband and father, Robert always dared his family to dream big. For his oldest son Steven, that meant urging his son to stop pursuing a degree in accounting while the two worked at Robert's CPA firm, and instead focus on his first passion of writing. For his youngest daughter Rachel, it meant entrusting her with a century old violin handed down from one generation to another and starting her on a promising career as a musician and educator. He encouraged his younger son Chris to pursue his business ambitions, and his oldest daughter Jennifer was cheered on as she wowed audiences attending her theatrical performances before going on to become a jeweler consultant, wife and mom.His family will never forget his over the top vacations, including a month-long trip across the western United States in a Winnebago, or their excursions by train to Disney World, or frequent treks to Branson, Missouri, and Oklahoma's Grand Lake.Robert is now free to pursue an even greater adventure. He is survived by his former wife, Estelle; his son, Steven Lackmeyer, and daughter-in-law, Wendy Lackmeyer; daughter, Jennifer Howard, and son-in-law, Brett Howard; son, Chris Lackmeyer; and daughter, Rachel Lackmeyer; sister, Cheryl Gubitosi; niece, Rebecca Gubitosi; and four grandchildren.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Free to Live Animal Sanctuary at P.O. Box 5884, Edmond, OK 73083.