Robert was born on September 1, 1930 to James and Sylvia (Hodgson) Merkel in New York City, NY.
He is survived by his adoring wife Deborah J. (Dahl) Safford of Socorro, NM; also surviving are his devoted children, David Kopaska-Merkel and wife Sheila of Tuscaloosa, AL; Valerie Bodell and husband Hugh of Johnson City, TN; Jennifer Alaine and husband Thomas Sedano of Denton, TX; and step-daughters, Pamela Safford and husband Daniel Covell of Concord, MA; Suzanne Safford and husband William Charamut of Heidelberg, Germany; grandchildren, Morgan Kopaska-Merkel of Turku, Finland, Lillian Kopaska-Merkel of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Perrin Alaine-Sedano of Denton, TX; and his brother-in-law, Martin Ganzglass and wife Evelyn of Washington DC.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents.
He was a resident of Socorro for the past six years, coming from Miami, FL.
He was an active volunteer and member of the Friends of the Bosque Del Apache, Amigos de la Sevilleta, Save Our Bosque Task Force, Native Plant Society (Albuquerque Chapter), Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Society, and the Socorro Branch of Unitarian Universalist Church.
Robert was very active in organizing and leading nature hikes involving native plants and local geology.
Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Socorro Branch of Unitarian Universalist Church located in the Epiphany Episcopal Church, 908 Leroy Pl. Socorro, NM 87801.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Friends of the Bosque Del Apache Nat’l Wildlife Refuge, 1001 Hwy 1, San Antonio, NM 87832 or Amigos de la Sevilleta, P.O. Box 1248 Socorro, NM 87801. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 309 Garfield, Socorro, 87801
(575) 835-1530.
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