Robert (Bob) Leroy Merriman, aged 93, of St Louis, Missouri passed away peacefully overnight on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The son of the late Lester and Amelia (Podesva) Merriman.

He is survived by his beloved sister Mildred (Merriman) Harber and her husband Lee and nephew Ron Cole; his three children and four grandchildren: his daughter Christina Merriman and grandson Mason; his son John Merriman, grandson Sam and granddaughter Sydney and husband Garland Johnson; his daughter Lisa (Merriman) Barth and husband Bryan and granddaughter Madison; his former spouse, Suzanne Levin; and his cousin Les Collins and daughter Kathy.

Bob was born and raised in St Louis and attended McKinley High School where he was in the top of his class.  He proudly served his country as a Corporal in the Anti-aircraft and Guided Missiles Branch in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  He received a National Defense Service Medal.

He earned his BS in Business Administration at Washington University, studied International Trade at the University of the Americas in Mexico City, Mexico and earned his Masters in Business Administration at Webster University.

Bob raised his three children with Suzanne in University City, MO for over 25 years.  He passed along his love for the outdoors to his family going camping often, sleeping under the stars, canoeing, and building ropes courses for the Girl Scouts of Greater St Louis.  He was always proud of his children and seeing them accomplish their goals gave light to his life.

Early in his career, he had a car dealership and was proud to introduce the Toyota to the St Louis area.  He spent most of his career working at various companies in sales and marketing, developing and analyzing young companies’ business strategies, helping them to be successful.

Bob moved to Columbia, MO to work with a grant from the University of Missouri to revitalize fledgling businesses in the central part of the country.  Eventually retiring, he started a new chapter of his life as an Adjunct Faculty Member teaching various Marketing and International Business courses at the University of Missouri, William Woods University, and Columbia College.  He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and enriching others. 

Before returning to St Louis two years ago, Bob moved to Flagler Beach, FL to enjoy a warmer climate and beautiful beaches with his partner Joan Haught. They met in Rio de Janeiro in 2007 and for the next 15 years, they explored the world and toured former ancient civilizations that included the Great Wall of China in Tibet, the Pyramids of Egypt, Tierra del Fuego, and the Galapagos Islands.  Later they followed the Lewis and Clark Trail with Road Trekkers traveling through North America by camper van, visiting many of our National and State Parks and even traced the journey of his grandparents to the coal mines of West Virginia. He had a passion for world travel and adventure fulfilling many of his lifelong dreams.

When he wasn’t traveling, he spent time with his “Coffee Clubs”, took a million photos, took ‘Sunday drives’ any day of the week and enjoyed laughing and telling stories in the company of friends.

Bob had many fine arts interests.  He was an artist and photographer at heart and could be found sketching and painting up until the last months of his life. He appreciated museums, theater productions and in his early years acted in several plays. 

Bob also loved to race cars as a young adult and started his travels attending many auto races (Formula 1, Road Rallies, Autocross) around the world and immersing himself into the local cultures. He carried his love for cars his whole life and celebrated his 83rd birthday at Daytona Beach International Speedway traveling the track at 170mph!

Bob was involved in several volunteer and civic organizations over the years where his focus was on educating and providing opportunities for others to grow and learn.  He gave his time to the Optimists Club, DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis (Thanks Badge awardee), Junior Achievement of St Louis, Sales and Marketing Executives of Greater St. Louis (President and Board Chair), and Regional Commerce and Growth Associate Small Business Council of St Louis.

Friends and family will miss his quick wit, sense of humor, love and generosity and his ability to always lead a great conversation.  We celebrate that he always lived his life to the fullest and never turned down an opportunity for a new adventure.

The family will have a burial of his cremains at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 2:30pm followed by a Celebration Reception.  In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Missouri Food Bank:  https://sharefoodbringhope.org/donate