Robert Allen Mercer
WILMINGTON - Robert Allen Mercer, age 78, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Born in Darby, PA on October 7, 1945, he was one of six children born to the late Harry Holden and Elizabeth (Kockenderfer) Mercer. Early in his childhood, Robert’s father passed away, leaving Robert and his siblings to be sent to orphanages. He attended Milton Hershey School with his brother, Harry, where he graduated with the class of 1963, focused on business curriculum. Robert was student home treasurer, school usher, and student equipment manager. Milton Hershey founded the school in 1923 with an extraordinary gift of $60 million dollars to provide a high school education and to prepare orphaned children for work in industry. Milton Hershey School had a profound impact on Robert’s life and he attended the 40th and 50th anniversary of the class of 1963.
After working for WXUR(690AM) in Media, PA, WCAP(980AM) in Lowell, MA, Robert entered the United States Air Force and was deployed to Tainan, Taiwan to work in Armed Forces Radio. This is where he met wife Su of 55 years. They were married May 18, 1968 at Tainan Air Base Chapel. Robert made his career as mass media teacher at Howard Career Center, DJ, talk show host, news and program director and VP Operations & Technology at WDEL, Delaware’s first radio station that’s been in operation for over 100 years. He retired from Delmarva Broadcasting Company, home of WDEL after 33 years of dedicated work. In retirement, Robert’s computer skills allowed him to assist friends and small businesses with their technology needs. Robert had a passion for the Lord Jesus Christ, tinkering, coding, conservatism and electric vehicle technology.
In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by brothers, William and Harry. He is survived by his loving wife, Su Mercer; siblings, Atlee, Ronald, and Kathryn; children, Robert (Rebecca), Sam ( Tania), and Allen (Sharon); and grandchildren, Robert James, Anna Elizabeth, Matthew, Scarlett, Benjamin, Elianna, Kira, and Ziva.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 11 am on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Brandywine Valley Church, 7 Mount Lebanon Road, Wilmington, DE, where a celebration of life will begin at 11 am. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
Any loved ones who are unable to attend the service for Robert may live stream the service by following the link in his obituary on the Spicer-Mullikin website.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert’s memory to UrbanPromise, a Christian non-profit in the City of Wilmington that provides support, education, and leadership skills for children. Donate by mail to UrbanPromise, P.O. Box 326, Wilmington, DE 19899.
To leave online condolences, visit: spicermullikin.com
SPICER-MULLIKIN
FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY
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