Robert Mettauer

Robert Mettauer

September 18, 1924 - September 13, 2025

(Santa Maria) Robert (Bob) George Mettauer, five days short of his 101st birthday, died on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at his home in Santa Maria, California, with family members at his side, just as he wanted. Bob was born a twin on September 18, 1924, in Queens Village, New York, the son of August G. Mettauer and Isabelle (Motzer) Mettauer. After graduating from Jamaica High School in Queens, NY in 1942, he immediately joined the US Navy. He served in World War II as a Machinists Mate, First Class on the USS Ticonderoga, a CV-14 Aircraft Carrier. He survived two Japanese kamikaze planes, helping save the lives of several shipmates during the attack. He was immensely proud of his service to the Navy, generously shared his stories over his lifetime, and was a speaker to local Santa Maria high school classes studying the war.

After being discharged from the Navy in April 1946, Bob studied mechanical engineering at Hofstra College in Hempstead, NY. He worked for the NY Telephone Company, first as an installer, later as an Outside Plant Engineer. He retired in 1980, when he moved to Santa Maria, CA, where he joined GTE. Retiring again in 1991, he took up the bike-riding hobby that made him the famous local legend, Bicycle Bob. By 2020, at the age of 95, he reached a record 100,000 miles on his bike.

Bob was very active in his community, volunteering at Marian Hospital, the Santa Maria Police Department, and with the food pantry in Casa Grande Estates. He was beloved by many of his neighbors, who organized a celebration for his 100th birthday party in 2024, where Navy seamen honored his service and the Santa Maria mayor gave him a proclamation for his achievement.

The only thing Bob was more dedicated to than his daily bike rides was his four daughters, his twin sister Doris, and his cousin Ruth. He is survived by sister, Doris Schoepflin of Greenlawn, NY; cousin Ruth Haupert-Lengemann of Queens, NY; daughters, Laura Mettauer of Grand Junction, CO; Lisa (Jim Tomich) Mettauer and Janice Mettauer of Madison,WI; and Patrice Mettauer of Warren, RI, as well as 6 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Bob concluded every conversation, "Well, that's that story," and we think his was a pretty good one.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Casa Grande Estates Club House on Sunday, October 26 from 1-3 pm.