Robert John Merlo, DVM

Nov. 7, 1941 – Aug. 14, 2015

"Dr. Bob" was born to Esther and John Merlo in Joliet, Ill and moved to California where he attended San Mateo High School, serving as Senior Class President and distinguishing himself as a fiercely competitive football and track athlete. Nick-named "Big Horse," he set the SMHS Bearcat shot-put record in 1960 while finishing 2nd in the state of California. He played a year of football at SJSU then in 1962 he set the College of San Mateo shot-put record which stood for over 40 years. He took a track scholarship to University of Houston then transferred to Colorado State University where he graduated with his bachelor of science in microbiology. He subsequently earned his masters in microbiology then trained and received his doctor of veterinary medicine from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Over the next 45 years he cared for small family and large farm animals (including cows, horses, llamas and alpacas), comforted their owners and adopted and loved countless abandoned or disabled pets in his homes and practices in Oregon, California, Illinois and Wyoming before retiring and assisting his daughter Dr. Rebecca Black establish her own private veterinary practice in Murrieta, Calif. He was a lifelong sports fan who volunteer coached youth and high school football teams in Illinois and Wyoming.

His athletic, academic, professional and civic achievements were no match, however, for the ferocity of his charismatic warmth and compassion. He was uniquely non-judgmental and inclusive, making close friends as easily as breathing. He is dearly loved by the family he leaves behind: sisters Judy Grosey and Tina Brenner, sons Scott Merlo, Bert Merlo and Michael Merlo, daughter Becky Black, and grandchildren James, Reilly, Charlie, Liam, Kaylee, Brooklyn and Addalyn.

The family will be attending mass in his honor at San Augustin Catholic Church in Scotts Valley at 10 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2015 with a memorial brunch to follow at Casa Nostra Italian restaurant in Ben Lomond. Any of dad's friends are invited to attend by RSVP to Scott Merlo (831) 239-1854.