In Memoriam: Robert Metz, Sr.

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Posted: September 25, 2009

Robert Metz, a rigger for the Site Service Division (SSD), died on February 7, 2009. He was 60.

Metz’s supervisor, Alex Korol of SSD, said, “Bob was a beloved coworker, dedicated to his family and known, here on site, as ‘The Flower Man.’ Each of the four seasons would bring a visit from Bob and his grey step van, always filled to the brim with a variety of flowers, from mums and marigolds to poinsettias and pansies. He will truly be missed, not only by his friends at BNL, but by the whole community.”

Metz first joined BNL in the Plant Engineering Division on August 28, 1985, as a temporary custodian, and he was named as a regular custodian on November 12, 1985. During the years that followed, he served the Lab in many ways, helping out as a laborer, a building and grounds utility worker, and a lamp cleaner. On February 24, 1992, he became a driver. Two years later, in 1994, he changed jobs to become a temporary riggers’ assistant. In 1997, he became a regular riggers’ assistant, and was promoted to his position as a rigger on March 1, 1999.

Metz had many friends at the Lab: one, Joseph DeVoe of the Maintenance & Fabrication Services Division, wrote a poem, “Flowers and Peace” in his memory. Part of the poem reads:

. . . Most great things are shortlived
Even today is only a moment
Like many moments in time
Everyday friends will come and go
As their souls move about us,
Leaving a moment of peace, but moving on, looking forward
And now watching over us all . . .
. . . As flowers and peace overwhelm us
There is a respect to be shown,
For we come from the earth, and the earth takes us back
As someone new is born, and a new flower blooms,
We can be at peace.”

A resident of Mastic Beach, Robert Metz is survived by his wife Frances; his daughter Lisa Metz, Site Services Division; his son Robert Metz Jr., Environmental Protection Division, and, remembered as “Pop Pop,” by his grandchildren Little Bobby and David.

“Flowers and Peace” by Joseph DeVoe, in memory of Bob Metz
 
Life short but sweet
Life’s new beginning
Life’s new place wee meet
Time is of the essence
The essence of the present
The now
Most great things are short lived
Even today is only a moment
Like many moments in time
Everyday friends will come and go
As their souls move about us,
Leaving a moment of peace,
But moving on,
Looking forward
And now watching over us all
Always hoping
For the better for all
For like flowers and their beauty
They feed on the earth
And the earth feeds on them
Their day also must come
As flowers and peace overwhelm us
There is a respect to be shown,
For we come from the earth,
And the earth takes us back
As someone new is born,
And a new flower blooms,
We can be at peace.

Last Modified: September 25, 2009

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE's Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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