Robert "Bob" Mantor Mr
July 31, 1944 ~ September 20, 2014
Born in:
Brooklyn, NY
Resided in:
Dacula, GA
Robert Thomas Mantor was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 31st, 1944 to Robert Edward Mantor and Eileen Dorothy Hansen.
He lived in the New York area until his teenage years.
Soon after, his father rejoined the US Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant where they lived throughout the United States and the Middle East. He attended High School in Beirut, Lebanon. He was the first to boy to ever receive the Eagle Scout award for the Boy Scouts of America in Lebanon.
Bob finished High School in North Dakota, and graduated college from UND. He became an officer in the US Air Force where he began flight training school. He was also trained in Transportation and Logistics.
He was married and had two children.
He furthered his education graduating with a Masters Degree from Central Michigan University.
Throughout his military career he lived all over the world including the United States, Okinawa, Panama, Germany, and Italy. Bob also had a tour of duty in Vietnam during the war where he earned the Bronze Star. He retired after 27 years of service as a Lt. Colonel in 1992.
After retirement he lived in Atlanta, Georgia and Florida, working as an educator in several different school districts - the last being the Maxwell HS of Technology. He loved working with the youth, being a kid himself.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Elaine, and children - David and Nancy, with 6 beautiful grandchildren. He was always a loving, supportive, and proud a husband and father to his family.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 3:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel with The Rev. Timothy Joe Watts officiating. Immediately after, the Interment will be held at East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens. The Family will receive friends Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 1:00 until 3:00 pm at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Brain Cancer Research center at Duke University in Durham, NC. The Tisch Brain Tumor Center Duke University Medical Center DUMC 3624 Durham, NC 27710. This is where Bob received much of his treatment for his disease. We pray that someday that they will find a cure. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Bob, you were #1 friend, buddy. You will really be missed. Love to all the Family and Friends he left behind.
Bob you were such an amazing spirit! I will always remember the kindness and friendship you and your wife Elaine gave to the Oakley family. We miss you and are praying for you and your family. Love jesse and the Oakleys
Bob was so personable — The first time we met was several years ago when he picked us up at the Atlanta Airport when we would spend the weekend with he, Elaine and Helene. We felt as though we had known him forever. He was gracious, funny and warm. It was an honor and a privilege to have him as a friend. He will live on in our memory as a courageous man to the very end. We know that right know he is in the company of the Lord Jesus, his fellow saints and the angels. To God be the glory for this good and fine man.
I first met Bob about the time Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon in July 1969. I had just arrived at Kadena AFB in Okinawa. I was lonely and homesick and Bob became such a good friend to me. He loved life and we spent a lot of time wandering around the Island. Bob continued to be a loyal friend over the years and I am grateful I was able to visit with him before he passed away. I love that picture of Bob. It is how I remember him. I will always treasure the memories. God bless you Elaine, Nancy and David. Sincerely, David Allen
Bob Mantor was a kindred spirit!. When I first met Bob and Elaine, it was like finding a long lost brother and part of my family. We did not have the opportunity to spend the time I wanted with each other but what time we did have was pure quality. We kept in touch through the years and developed a meaningful friendship. Bob chose the right person to share his life with when he married Elaine and I know she brought joy and fulfillment to his life. My prayers have been answered by having him enter my life and God’s eternal glory. In my travels, I always thought of Bob; and yes, the cigars were Cuban!
Bob was my first real boyfriend. He took me to the ROTC ball in 1966 when I was a high school senior and he was half way into his college years at UND. He was a charming, smart, fun, energetic man and I am glad to have had even a brief encounter in his life. I reconnected with Bob after he settled in with Elaine and I was so pleased to be able to get to know her and see that she was a wonderful partner and soul mate for him. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Bob’s wife, Elaine, and I went to high school together & reconnected after losing touch. Bob & Elaine were guests in our home in Florida for a special weekend. What fun catching up on our pasts and reminiscing. We felt like we had known Bob for many years, that’s just the way he was, personable, kind and Bob made friends easily. We only spent one other weekend with them at their home near Cocoa Beach before Bob fell ill. Elaine’s mom was still with them and the one thing that I will always remember is how Bob went to the local bakery every morning just to get the jelly donuts that his mother-in-law Helene, loved so much. When there is love, any life is too short. We know you are grateful for your life with Bob, and we feel fortunate to have known him.
We knew Bob & Ann only briefly at Hill AFB before both of our families were transferred to Panama. They were good friends living just a block away. David and Nancy were young and lively but great kids who used to love to come over and play with our cat. We had good times working on projects at the base as well as in the Church. It was fun to renew our relationship some years later via the yearly Christmas cards with Bob & Elaine. He will be missed but is now in a good place.
Several years we reconnected with Elaine and her Mom after not seeing each since childhood days. We kept in touch through the years and that’s how we got to know Bob.. He also seemed like a life long friend, warm, cordial and fun to be with, We loved Bob from the start and always will. The last few years he had a rough road to travel and he did with strength of character (and he was quite a character). We are honored to have known him. God has opened his arms to welcome Bob and his extraordinary humor to Heaven.
God Bless Elaine and your family. We love you.
I have known Bob and Elaine for over thirty years. We met while attending St. Michaels Church in Stone Mt. and I was married to Betty. They were both so helpful, encouraging and thoughtful during Betty’s illness, I will never forget. Bob even helped me with one of Betty’s last wishes, we were able to wheel her chair down to the water. Bob has also been a good friend to my Brothers, Mike and Joe. We always joked around that he is the fourth Brother, and he was!!!
We will miss you something terrible Bobby. You are now with passed family, friends and are with our Lord Jesus.
Elaine, we Love You and you know Donna and I will be there for you!!
Jerry and Donna
Although we never met in person we prayed for you with our Cancer Buddies at North Metro. Your obituary reads of a very exciting life and wonderful spirit and loving person. Heaven has one more Angel and I’ll meet you in Heaven one day.
Love and Peace to Elaine and your family at this time, Cyndi and Libby
Bobby ….will always see your smiling face! We had such fun over the years. You were a brother to Chuck and me. When you were “knocking on heaven’s door”, no doubt, Sarge, your mom, Helene, China and other departed loved ones were there to greet you.
Elaine, Nancy and David…our thoughts are with you at this sorrowful time. Love, TheEngels
Elaine, hold on to all the memories, and know that that the love you and Bob had for one another is eternal. I believe the luckiest day in Bob’s life was the day he met and later married you. You are truly best friends and soul mates. Bob is in a wonderful place and does not have to endure any more of the pains of the world. It will be difficult during this separation for a time. Don’t mourn Bob’s passing; but celebrate his life every day, by living your life to the fullest. God, in His wisdom, took him home at this time; – you and all of us are left to continue the journey, with the guidance, love and knowledge we have of the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who died that we all might live again thru eternity. Angels (earthly & heavenly) are watching over you. All is well, my dear Elaine. With warm wishes; smiles and hugs, Ann
Bobby will be missed dearly. A great friend and fierce competitor on the golf course. What a great sense of humor and he was always the life of the party. He would get us laughing faster than anybody we have ever known. Might even have GOD in tears as I write this! Keep smiling down upon us Bob and we will all join you down the road a bit. We love you man.
Our hearts are heavy with grief but we take comfort in the fact that Bob is with our Lord Jesus Christ and not suffering anymore. Our sympathy goes out to his family. Elaine we love and value your friendship and will always remember Bob’s sense of humor.
Elaine,
Our prayers and thoughts go out to Nancy, David and yourself at this difficult time. Nothing can ease your pain and suffering but knowing that Bob was loved and admired by so many, hopefully will help with your loss. Be strong and remember the good times; as those thoughts of Bob and yourself sharing life’s precious moments can never be taken from you. Your strength and courage after all you’ve been through with the lost of Helene and now Bob, is an testament to your individual character and loving spirit.
Peace and Love Always,
Lorna and Doug
My heart goes out to the Mantor family. I know this is one of the roughest times you will ever go through. Bob was loved by so many. Bob worked with my husband Rick at Maxwell High School of Technology. My husband Rick would come home and tell me about their day…laughing about things that went on in class. Bob had such an infectious smile. I don’t think Bob ever met a stranger because he befriended everyone. Elaine, David, Nancy and Mantor family thank you for sharing Bob with us. He is now in a much better place and one day we all will see Bob again.
Bob was a loving husband, father, friend and an overall great guy who everyone loved. He was always smiling and telling jokes. We miss him greatly, but know he is in a better place without pain and suffering.
We have been friends since the 1970’s and have enjoyed many activities together, i.e., trips to the mountains (Jasper & state parks), camping at Cloudland Canyon, boating at Lake Lanier and each year we celebrate Christmas and birthdays at fine restaurants. Jerry and I will always remember Christmas of 2012 when you, Bob and Helene came over for a spaghetti dinner (Bob’s favorite). Elaine, we have so many beautiful memories of our times together that Jerry and I will always cherish.
We all loved Bob and know that he loved you dearly. Just remember, we are here for you and we’ll keep on making memories together. A few lines from the song “Dancing in the Sky”
“I hope you are dancing in the sky,
And I hope you are singing in the angel’s choir,
And I hope the angels know what they have
Bet it’s nice up in heaven since you arrived”
Our prayers and thoughts are with you, David, Nancy and the Mantor family.
We love you,
Jerry, Betty & Abby
I was stationed with then Captain Mantor in the mid 70’s. he was my OIC and became my hero. As a sergeant in Maintenance control for the Transportation Squadron I needed to interact with many other squadrons often times making them bring their vehicles in for service against their will. Captain Mantor told me if someone didn’t want to bring their vehicle in I was to send a tow truck to fetch it. On one occasion an officer who had a vehicle towed came stomping into my office and wanted a few pounds of my backside. I politely excused myself and went to get Captain Mantor. He ate that officer for lunch. Clearly he was a great leader destined for greatness. I tell the story of his constant support for his men and I will always remember him. My sympathies go out to his family and friends I know he will be missed but his memory will live on.