Robert Mann, former president of North Central New York UM Men, died Dec. 30, 2012 in Dundee, N.Y., at age 91.

Robert served as lay leader of the North Central New York Conference and he was and nicknamed by church colleagues “Mr. Methodist.

A decorated Army-Air Force World War II veteran, Robert served as lay leader of the Geneva District (1963-1971), chair of the Conference Council (1970-1972), and delegate to the World Methodist Council (Denver, 1971).

He was elected to General Conference five times over a 20-year period.

He was awarded a life membership in UM Men in 1989 and he was named a John Wesley Fellow in 2002.

Robert was elected repeatedly to the Dundee Central School Board of Education and is listed in the Official Registry of World War II veterans enshrined at Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.

He is survived by sons Paul of California, and Philip (Karen) Mann of Keuka Park; sister-in-law, Inez, of Liverpool and many nieces and nephews who reside in the area and nationwide.

John Burlew, former president of UM Men in the North Central New York Conference, says Robert served as his mentor.

"At his funeral, one of his requests was that his son, Philip, play the Air Force hymn as the World War II veteran was wheeled from the church," said Burlew. "As Philip played, 'Off we go, into the wild blue yonder.....,' I thought to myself, 'What a wonderful send-off for another Saint!'”