Robert W. “Rob” Merchant, 71, of Nazareth, died Feb. 27, 2021, surrounded by his family at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus, Easton. He was the husband of Cecelia (DelBacco) Merchant. They were married for 17 years on Jan. 21. Born in Annapolis, Md., he was a son of the late James William and Emely (Wilson) Merchant.

He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as an avionics instrumentation technician at Pease Air Force Base, Portsmouth, N.H.

He began his career in 1974 doing photography for various companies such as Crimson Camera and Bell & Howell. In 1979, he worked for Air Products in Massachusetts, which moved him to Pennsylvania. From 1984 to 2013, he had a career of almost 30 years with AT&T, completing his tenure as their lead interactive multimedia manager. Upon retirement, he pursued his dream and started his own photography business, Digital Media Magic. He assisted in freelance work with Christmas City and all eight of the Lehigh Valley Press newspapers, specifically the Bethlehem Press.

He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, serving on the communion and safety teams.

He loved to camp, travel with his wife, surround himself with family, take photographs, learn about new technology and helped others selflessly.

He is survived by his wife; sons, Steven and his fiancée, Tayler Brandt, of Catasauqua, Antonio DelBacco and his life partner, Kyle Siegel, of Allentown, Ronnie DelBacco and his wife, Dawn, of Klecknersville; daughters, G. Lindsey, of Rochester, N.Y. and Tara Fahr, of Norristown; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Betsy Phelps, of Ohio and Cathy Franklin, of Maryland; a brother, David W. of Maryland; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, James W.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the church, Easton, 18045.

Services are under the care of the Fiore Funeral Home, Bangor.