Robert Stanley Mercer

Robert Stanley Mercer, 93, of Vancouver, WA, passed away Sept. 27, 2016. He had a rich history connected with Vancouver. His family was a pioneering family that settled here in 1850. Bob was born in Astoria, OR on April 25, 1923 to Estella Ruth Hathaway and Semri Samson Keiski. He worked as an usher at the Kiggins theater in 1938 and graduated from Fort Vancouver High School in 1941.

Bob was a Flight Engineer for the U.S. Army Air Corps and a Railroad Engineer for Burlington Northern. He worked as a fireman on the 700 Steam Engine and was on the last run that the train made form Portland to Wishram in 1955.

Bob was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. He enjoyed RV traveling and gardening.

Survivors include his daughter, Lisa Mercer of Wilsonville, OR; his son, Bob Mercer, Jr. of Vancouver, WA; one step-daughter, Carmen Chaffin of Vancouver, WA; three grandchildren, Michael Hathaway, Jayme Mercer of Vancouver, WA, Sabrina Mercer-Rott of Wilsonville, OR; five great-grandchildren, Amber Fussell and Misha Fussell of Vancouver, WA, Kaylee Hathaway of Portland, OR, Libby Hathaway and Zach Hathaway of Vancouver, WA; and half-brothers, Laurie Keiski of Atoka, IN and Stephen Keiski of Seattle, WA.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Rosemary Mercer in 2005.

A memorial service will be held this Sun., Oct. 2nd, 1:00 p.m. at the Vancouver Funeral Chapel, 110 E. 12th St., Vancouver, WA.

Special thanks to the loving nurses and caretakers at Hampton Salmon Creek as well as family and friends who were with Bob during his last days.

Memorial donations may be made to

the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association

http://www.sps700.org/index.shtml

Please visit an online article that was written

in honor of his 90th birthday:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/jun/26/hathaway-descendent-engineered-a-rich-history/

and sign his guest book at: www.columbian.co - See more at: http://obits.columbian.com/obituaries/columbian/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=181669395#sthash.xMownv40.dpuf

Arrangements under the direction of Vancouver Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, WA.