VOORHEESVILLE — Robert A. Meilinger was a forthright family man with a dry sense of humor. He died Monday, March 16, 2015, at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. He was 72.

“He was a very honest person. If you asked him a question, he answered it,” said his wife, Anne Meilinger.

“He will be remembered for his dry-sense of humor and forthright manner,” his family wrote in a tribute.

Mr. Meilinger, known as Bobby, was a lifelong resident of Voorheesville, born to Edward and Portia Meilinger. He graduated from Voorheesville’s high school and joined the United States Air Force as a parachute rigger. He wed Anne Dedrick; the couple celebrated 52 years of marriage.

After his national service, Mr. Meilinger worked in roofing and with sheet metal. He worked on many projects, including Martin VanBuren’s home and the dome on the city hall in Schenectady. He later joined the New York State Department of Health.

Mr. Meilinger was a member of the Voorheesville Fire Department and the American Legion.

“He made slates for our daughter,” Mrs. Meilinger said of Mr. Meilinger’s hobby. “He made her trees and deer that are all in her kitchen. It was sort of like continuing [the sheet metal work] he couldn’t do. It was like keeping on doing that by doing things here.”

Mr. Meilinger enjoyed history, vintage country music, and camping. He spent time with his grandchildren, attending ball games and recitals.

“He was a lot of fun,” his wife said. “He made sure we were all OK.”

“Bob was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and will be missed by many of his friends,” his family wrote.

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Mr. Meilinger is survived by his wife, Anne Dedrick Meilinger; his daughter, Jennifer Petherbridge, and her husband, William; his daughter, Alison Brennan, and her husband, Michael; and his grandchildren, Nicholas and Catelynn Brennan, and Nathan Petherbridge. He is also survived by his siblings, Edward Meilinger, and his wife, Wendy; Ronald Meilinger, and his wife, Barbara; Richard Meilinger, and his wife, Paula; Carol Tashjian, and her husband, Bill; by his wife’s family, Mark Dedrick and his wife, Dolly; Karl Dedrick and his wife, Audrey; Erik Dedrick and his wife, Deana; Mimi Kazukenus and her husband, Peter; Kris Goodman and her husband, Jeff; and many nieces and nephews.

His son, John Meilinger; his sisters, Audrey Meilinger, Diane Church, and Nancy Mosher; and his wife’s parents, John and Joan Dedrick, died before him.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by Reilly & Son Funeral Home, reillyandson.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Voorhesville American Legion, 31 Voorheesville Ave., Voorheesville, NY 12186. 

— Jo E. Prout