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Robert A. Melter
Robert A. Melter of Southampton died on April 11 at the Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton. He was 86.
He was born in Manhattan on March 20, 1935 to Hattie and George Melter. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in New York City, continued his studies at Cornell University, and earned a doctor of philosophy degree at the University of Missouri.
In 1971, Mr. Melter moved to Southampton with his French-born wife, Therese, who he met while visiting Geneva, Switzerland, in the summer of 1965. He began teaching at Southampton College, later on becoming chairman of the Mathematics Department. His wife and their young daughter shared his adventurous spirit, following him on many of his travels. In 1974, he was a Fulbright Professor and director of the Mathematics Department at the University of Niamey in Niger. He returned to Africa as a Fulbright Professor in 1985 to teach at the National University of the Ivory Coast in Abidjan. He was proud of his weathered passport, visiting 36 countries in his lifetime.
He embraced foreign languages, learning French to communicate with his wife. He studied Romanian during his long stay in Bucharest, working for the National Research Council. He edited and co-wrote mathematical research articles and books, including the notable “Vision Geometry” series. He retired in 1994 as a professor emeritus at Long Island University (Southampton College). He also volunteered at the American Mathematics Society on review panels.
He was an early riser, showing up at 6 a.m. as the first customer for coffee at local breakfast spots, while he tackled his daily crossword puzzles. Mr. Melter loved visits from his family, the performing arts, exploring Manhattan, opera music, and shopping for bargains at fine department stores.
He is survived by his daughter, Vanessa Geneva Ahern, and her husband Tom Ahern; two granddaughters; a sister, Susan Kohler (Melter) and her husband Larry Kohler; his niece Francyne Kohler and husband John Gianatasio; cousin Nancy Eisenstein Strausman and her husband George Strausman; and many friends, former colleagues, and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Therese Melter.
Mr. Melter’s family would like to thank the Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing for their compassionate care during his final years.
A wake is scheduled for Thursday, May 6, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica Parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Southampton at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 7.
Donations in his memory can be made to Basilica Parish of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (shjmbasilica.org) in Southampton, or Meals on Wheels America (mealsonwheelsamerica.org).
on Apr 19, 2021