Robert Allen Mercer
October 7, 1945 - April 14, 2024
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 clicking here.
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 or online by clicking here.
Edie Berstler
What an amazing life . . . I wish the Mercer Clan peace.
Holly Rodriguez/1-Touch Solutions, LLC
My deepest condolences to the Mercer Family. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bob when he worked at DMB. I worked with him in the telecom industry. It was a total pleasure to get to know Bob and work with him for so many wonderful years. Bob was a great man!!! In his honor and memory of such a bright light — A Memorial Tree will be planted as a tribute to him – a legacy that will live on.
Anne & Dick Wier
Dear Su & Family; Dick and I were simply broken heartened when we got the email that Bob had passed away. My journey with Bob and Su started back in the early 1970’s when I rented an apartment on the third floor of their home on 20th street. As a young girl in my early twenties, both Bob and Su were very kind and watched out for me. A few years later I married Dick Wier, who was the Attorney General of Delaware, and Dick hired Bob to be his Public Relations Director in the Attorney Generals Office. As the years went by, we stayed in touch with one another. We later hired Bob to oversee the management of our law firm computer systems and it was the best decision we ever made. He was the best IT person we ever had work for us. After Dick and I retired, and closed our firm, Bob would come to our house and maintain our home computers. He would often times answer questions over the phone when his health prevented him from coming out anymore. We spoke often with him about our shared faith in God, and because of Bob we started to attend the Brandywine Valley Church. Rest in peace Bob, you are now home with your beloved father Jesus Christ. With deepest sympathy; Anne & Dick Wier
Paul McLane
Thank you, Bob, for your faith in me when I was fresh out of college and for entrusting me with my first full-time job in radio. The years I spent working for you at WDEL/WSTW were formative; and looking back now with the wisdom of my own managerial experience, I can see also that you were more patient and understanding of my errors than I realized at the time. Godspeed.
David,Jan,Darby and Jamie Dill
Su please accept mine and my families condolences for the loss of Bob. Bob was a true gem and a fine human being. Robin Bryson introduced us many years ago and we value that relationship deeply. Bob was always there to lend a hand and assist whenever possible. He will be truly missed and we can’t even begin to comprehend how you are coping with this loss.