Hi Bob,

An odd thing happened around 8am on October 15th.  I was doing my morning devotions and the reading for the day stated:

       Our souls inhabit a particular body for a time.  In the end we release this
       physical state, yet our soul continues within the eternal life of God.  In the
       transition to and from the physical, our soul is lovingly in God's care.

I immediately thought of the transition you were under going.  Several hours later I received the e-mail from Murphy with the news of your passing.  That was tough to read.

What has been comforting to remember were the good times you, Barb, Nancy, Ruth, Bill, and I had in Nancy and JR's garage on Sunday afternoons jamming to the old Bluegrass favorites.

I knew you were a special person when I first met you at Brill's Barber Shop during one of Murphy's beginners' jams.  You were playing upright bass then and trying to keep us beginning banjo jammers together while Murphy kept trying to keep you in time.  Not a pretty picture.  At the end of the jam (which seemed interminable) I mentioned to you that I felt so incompetent.  You will never know how much your joking response meant to me, helping me to relax:  Yea, there's all levels of incompetence here!

Another funny tale that Bill and I often remember fondly concerned the Sunday jams at Nancy's.   We often noted that the more beers consumed as the hours progressed, the more the repertoire turned to gospel songs.   By the end of each jam we would always play You Go to Your Church, and I'll Go to Mine.   The drive home found us tired but uplifted. 

Looking back on it, Bob, your humor with Nancy and Ruth especially was a real balm in Gilead and surely helped to soothe my sin-sick soul.

In our move to Florida, Bill and I grieved for several years about missing the Sunday afternoon jams and the good times had there.   In various conversations with you on the phone, you helped me to transition from Murphy's live teaching at her home to Casey's Skype teaching on-line.   Your encouragement meant so much to me; and I still laugh at some of your silliness, especially when you and Murphy were playing with us.

(This is Bill)  I also remember you sitting in the river with JR in Parsons, WVA at the Pickin in Parson Festival where we all camped for a few days in the unbearable August heat.  Susie and I have such fond memories of our fun times with you.  Bob, I just know you will be in a jam somewhere in that big bluegrass band in the sky.  Can you pick a little John Hardy for us?   Oh, and pick it fast!   Love you, Brother..    Susan and Bill Morrison

Barb and family, you all are in my thoughts and prayers. My fondest memories of Bobbie were the times we spent exploring our grandmothers farm as youngsters. He has always been a good friend and blessing. As believers, we have hope because we are going to live forever. Death is not the end. There is more to the story! We will see him again. God bless you all and let God surround you with his peace and comfort. Bill Frazier

Karen,
My thoughts and prayers for you and your family. May God Bless you and keep you close at this time. There are no words that can express how sorry I am for your loss.

Barbara and Karen,
Please accept my deepest condolences. Bob will always be remembered as a person of great passion. We will miss his smile, his sense of humor, and expressions only Bob could come up with, but most of all, we will miss his values of life, family, and friendship.
Let the fact that he is in a better place be comforting to you, your family, and all of his friends.
Levan

Barb and family you have our sympathy.  Ron says Bobby was always a jokester, and wonderful to serve with in their time together in the reserve.

Barb, we wanted to let you know how sorry we are to hear about Bob.  We have so many wonderful memories that we will keep close to our hearts..  Buddy said it was a pleasure to have known him and to get to play music with him.. we will never forget him and his great sense of humor. Wish we could be there at this time, but are with you in spirit.. thoughts and prayers for you and your family, we love you!!

Bob and I worked together in the mid 70's at Fairchild and have been friends ever since. He was a super great guy-a real mans' man. He'll be greatly missed! God bless his family and friends.

We are neighbors and friends to the VanMetre Family, they are the best and we will miss Bob's smiling face and his wisdom for life and his ability to get things "done".

To Barbara and Karen

I am very sorry for the loss of your husband and father.  We have all lost a wonderful person and friend in Bob's passing.  He always expressed such a humor with his saying's that will always be remembered and cherished.  

Please take solace in knowing that he is in a far better place awaiting our arrival.  Harold Manning

Bob's wife and family you do not know me, but Bob and I worked together at Lockheed. He was my lead man and later my supervisor and I was his lead man. I enjoyed working with him and his father. It is a shame that paths haven't crossed since 1971. I'll tell a story on him, we used to ride him about being tightwad, he claimed that he only gave his wife money to pay bills and if there was any money left it was her's. I said Bob that's not fair, he pulled his check out and stated it was written to Bob Vanmeter not Mrs Vanmeter.  He will forever be in my memories.  Roger " Kat" Michael

It is amazing how someone I knew for such a short time touched me so deeply.  He was an inspiration through his great sense of humor and bravery even in the darkest of times.  He constantly encouraged my slow progress in banjo playing and greatly added to the fun at the Wednesday night jam session.  He is so very missed by so many.  Condolences to his family and friends.

Bob's family,
Sorry to read the news but rejoice that there is no more pain and that he was ready for those "better days ahead". I worked with Bob several years at Fairchild and Rohr Industries on the Material Review Board.  Always enjoyed his fellowship and sense of humor.  You will have many fond memories, as I do.  Keep your faith and look forward to seeing him again in God's kingdom.

I'm so sorry to hear about Bob's passing.  He was a great man and my wife and I have many good memories of Bob.  May the Lord comfort you and your family during this difficult time. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never parish." John 10:27, 28. Jay and Jo Ann Handzel

Much love to you all in this sad time. Bob was such a great person and he touched many lives, including mine. We will really miss him. Our prayers are with you all at this time.

Barbara and All the family:
We are so sorry to be saying "goodbye" to such a wonderful spirit.  His joy of music was a wonderful gift that he shared with so many. We were so happy that he was able to sing at the Relay For Life Hymn Sing this spring. I know it was important to him to be there.  He was a treasure and we will miss him.  We will keep you all in our prayers, just as we have kept Bob in prayer during his fight.
Our love,
Mary and Chip Daniel from White Hall UMC)

OBITUARY

Robert "Bob" VanMetre

June 13, 1947 – October 15, 2015

Rosedale Funeral Home & Cemetery

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