Robert D. Longmeyer was born in Beebeetown, Iowa July 26, 1934 and died in Bluffton, South Carolina on Monday, February 20, 2017.
Bob’s parents were Frank H. and Emma Longmeyer. Except for his sister, Florence Helmick, of Omaha, Neb., Bob’s other siblings, Jack and Butch, Helen, Alice and Dorothy, preceded him in death.
Those who loved and adored Bob/Papa include: Michael Longmeyer, son, wife Cassidy, and their children, Avery, Ella, Evan and Sadie Hope, all of Newnan, Ga.; his daughter Michele Yother, of Fayetteville, Ga., husband Mike, and their children, Christina and Grant; Stacy Simmons, daughter, of Central, S. C., her husband Robert, and children Kimberly and Matthew, and daughter Wendy Longmeyer Bremer of Travelers Rest, S. C., and children, Brittney and Craig. Bob also had several great-grandchildren.
Bob was formerly married to Elizabeth Longmeyer. In 1980, he married Carole Spence Marsh; they were married for almost 35 years. During the course of their marriage, Carole and Bob started a small children’s book publishing company that eventually grew into Gallopade International, a highly-respected curriculum and supplemental education publisher.
Over the years, Bob served many roles in the company, concluding as Editor Emeritus following his retirement. Carole and Bob traveled widely to do research, writing, sales, marketing and school visits for the now 37-year-old company, today run by Mike Longmeyer and Michele Yother in Peachtree City, Ga. As “Papa,” Bob also served as a character in many of the books written by his wife, entertaining schoolchildren across the country as Papa, the cowboy pilot.
After high school in Missouri Valley, Iowa, Bob joined the Army as part of the 82nd Airborne, then served in the Army Reserves for an additional 42 years. He was a graduate of Clemson University and worked for many years at Sloan Construction Company in Greenville, South Carolina.
Bob always considered himself a true cowboy and loved the West. He was a horseman and often visited Wyoming and other western states for rodeos. As a big fan of black-tie, fundraising balls for good causes, Bob always traveled with his Stetson, boots and tuxedo.
Bob was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Savannah, Ga. A private family celebration of his life will be held at the chapel in Wilson Village at Palmetto Bluff.
The family graciously thanks the Hospice and caregivers who made Bob’s last months a treasure.
Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton, S.C. – www.saulsfh.com.
