Robert M. Metzler

Skaneateles Ambulance

Date of Death: March 8, 1993

Robert Metzler joined SAVES in 1988 after retiring as a senior master sergeant with the New York Air National Guard. From the moment he arrived, he became a steady, dependable presence whose loss would later leave a void that was difficult for the volunteer corps to fill. His wife, Carol, often reflected on his tireless dedication, saying, “He worked from six in the morning to six at night — some retirement, huh?” Metzler served as a certified first responder and became an EMT in 1990. Just two years later, he was named SAVES Member of the Year. Over the course of his service, he also held the office of treasurer and took on the responsibility of supervising vehicle maintenance, stepping in whenever needed and always giving more than was asked. On March 8, 1993, while driving a patient to a Syracuse hospital, Robert Metzler, 61, suffered a heart attack and went into full cardiac arrest. The ambulance struck a utility pole, and despite every effort, he did not survive. His passing marked the first line‑of‑duty death of a SAVES attendant and remains a profound moment in the organization’s history.