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G. Robert Meko

01/05/1948 - 07/19/2016
Service Date: 07/22/2016
Service Time: 1:00 PM
Service Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1054 W. 2nd Place, Mesa, AZ

G. Robert Meko of Mesa, Arizona passed away suddenly on July 19, 2016.  He was the son of the late Anna and John Meko of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughters Teague and Kellan, brothers John of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Michael of Nipoma, California, and brother-in-law, Lawrence Seder of Damascus, Maryland.

Bob had been an educator for 45 years, the last 37 years in the Mesa area. He was a teacher, principal, and mentor. His passion, enthusiasm and love for his work permeated throughout his schools as he made the love of learning exciting and fun for his students.

Bob’s schools won prestigious awards such as A+ School and Blue Ribbon School awards.

He and his wife Sharon founded Ballet Etudes. He was also a board member of the Mesa Civic Ballet, presently Ballet Arizona. For 25 years, he performed the role of Mother Ginger in the Ballet Etudes production of The Nutcracker.

Bob was an avid baseball fan. He was a charter season ticket holder of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was Golden Glover and a lifetime 3rd baseman. Bob was also an accomplished fly fisherman even having fished with grizzly bears in the streams of Alaska.

Lover of life, larger than life, Bob left a legacy of love, laughter and learning. He will be missed by all.

A viewing will be held at the Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ on Thursday, July 21, 2016 from 6 to 8 PM. Funeral services will be held at the LDS Church at 1054 W. 2nd Pl, Mesa, AZ on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 1 PM.

Condolences

  • Cynthia Benzing

    Dear Sharon and girls,
    I was so saddened to hear about Bob’s passing. He was a wonderful man who loved his wife and girls very much and all the children he touched during his life. Our family is very grateful for the leadership Bob shared with our community, especially at Mendoza. I attribute the success of my children to every educator who touched their lives. Bob certainly gave all of my children their first positive experience in education. I am also grateful for the opportunity to work with Bob at Mendoza and for the knowledge I received during that work experience. Your family is in my prayers, especially as you move through this difficult time. With love and blessings, Cindy Benzing and family.

  • Shelley Tiffany

    Mr. Meko made school fun and exciting and a place where the kids loved to be. He was the best principal my children ever had. I worked/volunteered in the Stevenson office while he was there. He was so friendly and upbeat, it created a great working atmosphere. We all loved the rubber duckies around the campus. And I’ll always remember the great undertaking of having the entire school population attend an Irish dance production at the Orpheum Theatre. He was a great educator and will be missed.

  • If it was good for kids, Bob found a way to do it.

  • I had the pleasure of spending 30 seconds with Mr. Meko nearly every morning when dropping my girls off at school. He always started my morning off with a smile. I also had the pleasure of hearing all the stories about Mr. Meko, rubber ducks and much more, each day, after school. My girls are heartbroken that he is gone and he will be missed dearly! Rest in Peace Mr. Meko!!!!

  • Susan Hubbard Barrett

    Bob was an amazing, creative educator and fellow administrator. His contributions to the education of children and professional growth of educators will long be remembered. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. He will be missed.

  • Christy Larson

    My heart goes out to the family. I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Meko a few years ago, and he taught me to much. He was a wonderful mentor and a great educator. The world is a better place because he was here. RIP Mr. Meko. I’m sure you are hiding ducks in heaven now! 🙂

  • Lorrie, Korey & Haylee Mueller

    RIP Mr. Meko.. Thank you for all you did for your students. My kids remember you fondly as making school a fun place to be.
    To Mr. Meko’s family and friends.. So sorry for your loss.

  • Simone Mathews and family

    We loved Bob and we love you all.

  • Jean Kaminski

    What a loving memorial to Bob last night. My heart is with you today as you say your final goodbye; unfortunately, I will not be able to be there, but you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I was in contact with Ellen Andrews and she asked that I extend their condolences as well – they live in South Carolina now. Rest in peace, Bob.

  • Amy Kathleen Woolley-Ardestani

    My sincere condolences to you and your family. Mr. Meko was the principal when my older sister and I attended Jefferson Elementary- and later for my younger sister at Mendoza. I still recall his ‘rubber ducky’ songs and morning announcements. I was just telling a coworker of mine about Mr. Meko a couple of weeks ago. He was upbeat, positive, energetic and loving. A wonderful example of what an educator and principal should be. Our hearts go out to you. May he rest in peace.

  • Nan Zlotkowski

    Bob was an extraordinary educator and a wonderful man.. He is truly someone we will never forget. He will always remain in the hearts of his Mendoza Elementary family. My family feels fortunate to have known him.
    Thank you Mr. Meko.

  • Oh Mr Meko im so heartbroken and sad about the news. May the spirit and light of God guide you home. Sharon he is with you always. The most beautiful example of a marriage I have ever witnessed.
    Love and light
    Namaste
    Jeni

  • Kathy Kalinke

    Bob was a great administrator. I enjoyed working for him and will always remember his humor and that he loved to see students have fun while learning!

  • Dear Sharon and Family, I was so saddened to learn of Bob’s death. He brought so much laughter and joy to this world. I have such great memories of our Ballet Etude days when the girls were dancing. And the legacy he leaves as an educator is unmatched. My deepest sympathies to you.

    • So sorry to hear of Mr. Meko. By far the best Principle I ever had as you were always my favorite teacher some 39 years ago at Jefferson in 3rd grade.Sad time as he was a heckuva guy. Hope you are doing great Mrs.Bass?

  • Sharon and Family, my thoughts go out to you. I will always remember the good times his spirit was an inspiration to everyone. he will be missed.

  • I am very sorry for your loss. Bob was an amazing person. He was my principal when I taught at Stevenson Elementary many years ago. He was so much fun. I remember one time, Bob and the Assistant principal camped out on the roof of a bus until the bus was completely full of donated food items. I also remember a time when he had a small pool brought to the pool and he sat in it with rubber duckies all around him. I’ve often thought of him over the years. He was so wonderful. I am truly sorry for your loss. His memory will live on with me.

  • We just heard the sad news. We are so sorry for your loss!! Mr. Meko was the afternoon teacher for my daughter two years ago and he was there every morning when my father or I dropped her off at School. He made a very profound impact on my daughter’s life as I know he did all the kids he worked with. As someone else said – this world is a better place because he was in it!!! You are all in our thoughts and prayers!!!! Rubber duckies will always bring smiles and happy memories of Mr. Meko! Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and friend to our family but mostly my daughter!!!!

  • Jennifer schutte

    Mr meko was a great teacher he always had a smile when I dropped off my daughter every morning. it will be sad to not see his baseball mask during spring training. RIP meko

  • Dear Sharon, I was very saddened to hear today about Bob. We worked together on several projects and shared many ideas while working for MPS. He was one of a kind…. If it was good for kids, Bob was there. He will be missed by many of us.

  • It was so heartwarming seeing Mr.Meko in the mornings it truly brightened our day, my daughter would be so excited for school, she always liked sharing the duckie stories with us. My prayers go out to you

  • Mr. Meko and I were an educational tag team for 35 years beginning at Jefferson, Mendoza, Stevenson Elementary and then at The College of Education at NAU where his guest lectures reached 500 teacher candidates a year. He always shared how his love for family always came first.
    His courage, character, and conscious for assessing individual genius and awakening goodness was always more important than test scores, which he considered child abuse in thwarting individual potential. We can honor Mr. Meko’s Wisdom of Wonder (WOW) by igniting passion in students young and old. I loved this giant of a man who will tickle your insides with a belly laugh if you forget to let go of worrying, blaming, anger, comparing, competing, guilt and fear. Oh how we need his spirit in our public schools.

    • My heart is very heavy right now, you guys were both such a huge positive influence on my brothers and I, so many experiences from my time at Mendoza are held so closely to my heart and Mr. Meko was so much a part of it all. I still have a photo of kindergarten me and mr. meko when I received my student of the month certificate (arguably my greatest life achievement to date) and I’ll be sure to find a frame for it.

  • Very sad to hear of Mr Meko’s passing. He made a huge impact on my son and he is the only teacher that he has ever mentioned to the point I felt I knew him well. Was always nice to be greeted by him in the mornings at drop off. Sincere condolences to the family on your loss. He will be missed.

  • My memories of Bob from long Nutcracker practices are that his positive energy and sheer love for life were boundless and contagious. I am so sorry for your loss, and I am sending prayers your way.

  • Greg Smolkovich

    Dear Sharon,
    I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Bob. He always made decisions that were best for the students in his charge.I considered Bob to be a friend.We often had many baseball conversations.He will be miss by all the childrens’ lives he touched.

  • Sharon and family,

    Please accept my condolences. Bob was a great boss, educator and friend. I feel fortunate to have worked and learned from him. Bob made a difference in the lives of many young children and adults. Rubber Duckies, Mendoza Pups, Queen of Hearts School Gardens, principal up the flag pole, the list goes on and the memories last a lifetime.

    God Bless!

  • I’ve spent a lot of time reading all of the beautiful messages and stories about a man who we all adored! I’ve cried and laughed, as I’m sure we all have done. I could spend hours telling wonderful stories about my experiences working for Bob Meko! He inspired me as a teacher and person in so many ways! I am extraordinarily grateful for his amazing influence in my life, my family’s life and the lives of the people in the community!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you, Sharon, Kellan, and Teague! Rest in Peace, Bob!!!

  • Christian Mendivil

    Sharon, Deeply sorry to hear of Bobs passing . He was a good friend and a good teacher to our kids. Wish we had found out earlier, would have liked to be there for you and the girls for support.

  • Mr. Meko was my principle at Jefferson in about 1978. I don’t remember the ducks but I do remember how all the staff and students loved and respected him. He lived in my neighborhood so years later when I’d be out on my bike and saw him outside we would chat. Always caring and such a class act. My thoughts and prayers to his wonderful family.

  • My daughter had the wonderful privilege of performing as a Gingerette last year and Mr. Meko (Mother Ginger) was such a special part of that experience. Mother Ginger stole the show when “she” appeared, dancing and clapping and getting the audience to join in. It makes me cry just thinking about it. Mother Ginger, you’ve brought so much joy and laughter to thousands throughout the years. Thank you for blessing so many of us. You truly were a one-of-a-kind class act and will be sorely missed.

  • Jim Manley said it best !!!!!!

  • Annie (Klinger) Maxey

    I am so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Living next door to the Meko’s during my young life created so many great memories. He was a great man, who from a young age made education fun and exciting. I am forever thankful for each of those memories. Sharon, Teague, and Kellan, you have my deepest condolences and my prayers. You all are in my thoughts often. All my love – Annie

  • Sharon. I just learned of Bob’s passing and googled his name just now. Now I just sit and read and remember your good husband. Just the sound of his name makes me laugh and shake my head! I loved him. I cannot wait to hug him in heaven. He is a good soul. I pray you are comforted by all the words of love and praise for Bob. And I add my name to the list of people who worked with him, and adored him.

  • Sheila Carpenter

    I used to work at Stevenson and just heard about Mr. Mieko. I am so sorry for your loss. I was the PTO President at Stevenson for 3 years and one year I started a carnival with a dunk tank. Mr. Keiko didn’t hesitate to jump inside it and lovingly taunt the kids like my son. Now, I wasn’t there cause I was busy with carnival stuff but my husband told me this story later. Sheldon, my son, went for his turn at the dunk tank and Mr. Mieko was sure that Sheldon was not going to dunk him. My son took his first throw and put Mr. Mieko right in the water. My husband still talks about that day and we have many more memories like that. Again, sorry for your loss.

  • I grew up in Mendoza elementary and thoroughly enjoyed learning in the great environment that was created under Mr Meko. I had the privilege of being taught by many teachers who have posted wonderful comments about our beloved principal. From the flag pole to the rubber duckies and most importantly the kindness he showed to all of his children…he is truly unforgettable. Mr Meko was a wonderful man and his spirit lives on with those of us he impacted. My most sincere condolences to the entire Meko family. God Bless you and thank you.

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