Robert W. Thayer

OLEAN — Robert W. Thayer departed this life Sunday (Aug. 2, 2026) at Olean General Hospital, with his beloved wife Carol Thayer at his side.

Born Jan. 20, 1944, in Detroit, Mich., he was the son of Frank and Opal Carmichael Thayer. On April 9, 1966, he and Carol were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Olean.

As a teen, Bob served as a lifeguard. He loved swimming and diving and was able to perform many complicated, Olympic-style dives.

He attended SUNY at Alfred and held an AAS in landscaping.

After marriage, he worked at Grandview Dairy in Arkport, and Jackson & Perkins in Newark, before moving to Olean where he first worked at Carley Manufacturing. Later, he went to work for the City of Olean at the Water Filtration Plant, where he worked for many years, eventually becoming chief operator. He was still working there when the new plant on River Street was built.

For years, he and Carol did flea markets and antique shows, later becoming antique dealers and setting up at antique co-ops. He enjoyed visiting thrift stores and finding treasures.

In his free time, Bob enjoyed collecting clocks and Coudersport Glass. He loved music, even taking voice and piano lessons as an adult.  He enjoyed the time he spent with his dogs and took pride in taking care of his home, which he rebuilt practically from the ground up over the course of decades. He loved science fiction and reading National Geographic. Above all, he loved his family.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his three children, Laurie Firth of Olean, Thomas (Elizabeth) Thayer of Olean and Robyne (Kenneth) Hadden of Bradford, Pa.; his grandchildren, Carolann Thayer, Caitlin Thayer, Shoshone Thayer, Aaliyah (Tyler) Poffenberger and Gabriel Anthony; great-grandchildren, Damien and Oliver; a brother, Douglas (Virginia) Thayer of Media, Pa.; a sister, Marjorie (Paul) Gross of Spring, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to attend a graveside service at 11 a.m. Tuesday (Aug. 11, 2026) at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Portville. Attendees are invited to wear brightly-colored clothing, as Bob did not like somber colors.

Memorials may be made to the Cattaraugus County SPCA or to Olean General Hospital, especially the Intensive Care Unit, whose staff showed great kindness in Bob’s last days.

Arrangements are under the direction of Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.