Robert Noel Mertz, 83, of Nazareth, passed away Monday at St. Luke's Hospital-Anderson Campus. He was the loving husband of Nancy (Heller) Mertz. Together they celebrated 60 years of marriage.

He was born in Nazareth on Christmas Day 1938 to Robert Charles and Mary (Broad) Mertz. Bob graduated from Nazareth High School in 1956 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1959. He was employed as a cement inspector at the Port Authority in New York before working for decades as a realtor. He retired earlier this year from Berkshire Hathaway in Nazareth.

Bob was a people person and very active in the Nazareth community. He enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting and was a member of the Maskenozha Rod and Gun Club, Holy Family Club, Hecktown Fire Co. Social Club, East Lawn Social Club, the VFW and the Kiwanis Club, where he was honored as a George F. Hixson Fellow.

In addition to his wife Nancy, Bob is survived by his son, Robert Mertz Jr., and his girlfriend, Jen Acosta; brother Edward Mertz and his wife Elaine; sister Linda Michael; and his niece, "Cindy Sue" Young. He had many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews of whom he was so proud and loved very much.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 200 S. Broad St., Nazareth, where a memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob's name may be sent to the church or to an animal shelter of one's choice.