SUNBURY — A major regional business and community leader has died. Robert Mertz had just celebrated his 76th birthday last week. Mertz was president of the Sunbury Motor Company. He had also served on the boards of the former First National Bank and Sunbury Community Hospital. Today Robert Mertz lost his seven year battle with cancer.
Mertz was president of SMC for over 40-years and oversaw the exponential growth of the company from 38 employees at the beginning of the 1980’s, to nearly 200 employees today. He was said to be the driving force behind developing more and more customer service and facilities at the two locations. The company is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Additionally, he was a quiet community leader who extremely generously supported the entire Sunbury region. His colleagues at the business say he was very appreciative of his employees and extremely kind to the community, charities and other endeavors.
Another leader in the company, his nephew Tom Mertz is secretary/treasurer of the Sunbury Motor Company and he will have additional future leadership roles in the business. Robert Mertz is survived by a brother in North Carolina and a sister in Middletown PA. Richard Mertz, who was at one time involved in SMC, is his cousin.
Robert Mertz died today at the age of 76.