Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. (Tony) Melzer of Williamsburg, VA, formerly of East Sandwich, MA, died peacefully on September 6, 2022, at Sentara Regional Medical Center.
Colonel Melzer was born and raised in Littleton, NH in 1934. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant after graduating from Officer’s Candidate School. He served in the U.S. Army Security Agency for 21 years, with six tours in the Far East, including two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and numerous other awards and decorations.
Following his military service, Colonel Melzer served as an Intelligence Officer with the National Security Agency for nineteen years. He has a BA degree in Physical Science and an MA degree in International Relations. He devoted many hours to volunteer work with the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop in his previous home in Cape Cod, MA. Here in Williamsburg, he volunteered at St. Olaf Catholic Church as a lector and eucharistic minister, and assisting at funerals and working at the food pantry. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and fishing.
Colonel Melzer is survived by his wife, Marilyn, and two children – a daughter Kelly of Jaffrey, NH, and a son Drew of Williamsburg. Another son, Michael, died in 2011.
A visitation will be held at Bucktrout Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 from 4:00- 7:00 PM. A visitation service will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 from 10am – 11am, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00am at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Norge, VA. Burial services will be the following day at the Quantico National Cemetery at Quantico, VA. Gifts can be made in memory of Tony to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org. Donations may also be given to the Saint Olaf Catholic Church food pantry in Norge, VA.
Mass
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
St. Olaf Catholic Church - Directions
104 Norge Lane
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Graveside
11:30 AM
Quantico National Cemetery - Directions
Visiting Hours
- Tuesday, September 13, 2022
-
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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