Bob Mergle, vice-president, photographer passes
Robert Frank Mergle, January 31, 1945 – April 23, 2021
It is with great sadness we learn that our national vice-president, Bob Mergle, died April 23, 2021 resulting from complications related to two strokes. He is survived by his wife, Jane Mergle; his sister, Linda Lewiston and his youngest sister, Susan Scheiderich.
Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, he was a 1963 graduate of Seneca High School; and later a 1987 graduate of Columbia College, Missouri. He served on active duty in the US Marine Corps as a ground combat photographer, serving two tours in Vietnam. He also spent 22 years in the US Army Reserve and had been activated in 1991 to serve in the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, retiring at the rank of Major in 1996. He retired in 2003 from his civilian occupation as the Assistant District Director of the South Carolina office of the US Small Business Administration after a 31-year career as a Federal Civil Service employee.
Active in both civic and social organizations, he was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Masonry’s Scottish Rite organization, and a member of the Jamil Shrine Temple.
He was a life member of the United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association (USMCCCA), as well as holding life memberships in the Vietnam Veterans Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans organizations, Military Officers Association of America and Retired Officers Association.
He was the current vice president of the USMCCCA and a past president of the Onondaga Chapter of the Reserve Officers Association in Syracuse, NY, a past president of the Columbia, SC chapter of the National Contract Management Association, a past president of the Capital City Shag Club, Columbia, SC and a two-term vice president of the Palmetto Shag Club, Columbia, SC.
Bob also served as a SC State Constable for many years, including five years as Director of NE Region Number 1.
Bob was always a gentleman; gracious to all of those with whom he came in contact in any setting. A loving and devoted husband to Jane and loving brother to Linda and Susan. Words just cannot describe how much he is missed.