Robert "Bob" Allen Melcher

Robert "Bob" Allen Melcher died February 10, 2025. He was born May 19, 1950, in Fort Wayne IN to Lloyd and Virginia (Cox) Melcher. 

Bob graduated from South Side High School in 1968. He enjoyed getting together with his friends and playing the electric guitar in bands in their basements and playing pool. His first job was working at Schwinn's Bicycle Shop at the age of 15. After graduation Bob enlisted in the National Air Guard for 6 years. Afterward he started working for ANR Freight Transportation as a night manifest clerk before moving over to the OS&D department and eventually being promoted to Operations Manager. In 1987 he started work at Conway Central Express as a terminal manager and was transferred in 1989 to Milan, Illinois where he continued in the transportation industry before retiring from Adrian Carriers in 2018 as Safety Director. 

He married Janet Swinehart in 1977, where they lived in Fort Wayne IN for 12 years before moving to the Quad Cities and eventually retiring to the country in Sherrard, Illinois in 2016. 

Through the years Bob enjoyed going to the lake with his family and spending time relaxing and having fun on his boat. He spent many weekends in the summer on his favorite John Deere mower, keeping his yard top notch. He had a passion for photography and his favorite subjects were nature and his beloved Janet. Another interest of Bob's were Classic Corvettes whether owning or pining after. Bob’s garage was his happy place where he spent many countless hours on his favorite hobbies, woodworking and tinkering with all of his tools in his free time. 

Bob is survived by his wife; daughters, Holly Kriz and Kristine Brown; sons, Christopher and Brent Melcher, Mark Montoney; 15 grandchildren, Caleb, Daniel, Christian, Jamie, Neko, Brianna, Destiny, Alexis, Jared, Aaron, Cameron, Tyler, Sean, Sierra, Derek; and 15 great grandchildren; sister, Patty Melcher and two brothers, Rick and Bill Melcher. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Wanda Melcher and sister, Dianne Sue Melcher.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date.

Memories may be shared at esterdahl.com.