Robert J. Meek

Robert James Meek, formerly of Minersville, died Dec. 5, 2023, at Green Valley Skilled Nursing Center.

He was born April 2, 1930, a son of the late Raymond and Amanda (Sanders) Meek.

A son, an orphan, a paratrooper, a husband, a father, a business owner, a grandfather, a great-grandfather - Robert J. Meek lived a full life upon passing peacefully at the age of 93.

Born in a small town in Minnesota, Robert, better known as "Bob", had an appetite for three things: adventure, beautiful women and blueberry pancakes.

He pursued his love of travel by joining the Army as a paratrooper, where he was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. Soon thereafter, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant for the Department of Justice. Not long thereafter, he was stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Enter the young and beautiful Cornelia Melochek, who he married in 1952 after a passionate courtship. They would later welcome three children: Karen, Robert Jr. and Demetrius.

Discharged from the army in 1953, Bob began a lifelong career in the insurance industry that took him and his family to Philadelphia, cross-country to California and eventually back to Schuylkill County, where he planted roots for good. He owned his own brokerage firm for many years.

He had a lifelong dream of taking a fishing trip to Alaska, which he accomplished circa 2000 with family, friends and The Cornelia - his boat which was lovingly named after his bride, who absolutely hated being out on the water.

Bob's favorite meal of the day was unmistakably breakfast. Throughout the years, he frequented local establishments such as the Pottsville Diner, Garfield Diner and Buddy's Log Cabin. He could be heard asking for coffee refills while studying the specials, only to land on the short stack of blueberry pancakes each and every time.

Bob's heart was as big as they come. He was an avid supporter of the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts and National Hemophilia Foundation. He was everybody's favorite (and not so favorite) debater, and always the storyteller at the dinner table.

He survived the tragic passing of his two sons and wife during his lifetime. He was the definition of "Just keep going."

Today, he leaves behind his daughter, Karen; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and extended family members.

Because of his irrational fear that his family would throw him a Democrat-themed funeral despite his hatred for all things blue, his family will hold a service free of any type of "theme." A visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home, Minersville. Interment will be in Mount Peace Cemetery. Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, is entrusted with the arrangements.