Robert Overmier

Robert Overmier of Roswell NM passed away on December 3, 2016 in Albuquerque NM at the age of 74. Robert was born to Eugene Overmier and Carolyn Vought on February 4, 1942 in St. Marys Pennsylvania. Both of his parents have preceded him in death.

Robert was a big man with a big heart, whose physical appearance and personality cast a big shadow, but which was small in comparison to his compassion and skill as a life saver and first responder. Robert grew up in the small town of Emporium Pennsylvania in the Allegheny River Basin. As a young man he first became interested in first aid as a junior volunteer firefighter. This interest grew and developed after he enlisted into the Navy on November 3, 1960. He served in the Navy's 7th fleet in the South China Sea patrolling off the Vietnamese coast at the beginning of the Vietnam War. After his exit from the Navy in 1966 he found himself in San Francisco where he met and married the love of his life Mary Romero.

Robert and Mary moved to Roswell in 1968 after taking a job with Gold Cross Ambulance where they decided to settle down and raise a family. They welcomed their first son Richard the next year and their second son Randall seven years later. Mr. Overmier's career took off shortly after the move to New Mexico with his service as a Roswell Police Department patrolman in 1970, Chaves County Sheriff Department in 1977, and becoming a sergeant with the sheriff's office in 1982. He stayed with the force until his retirement on December 31, 1993 but continued to serve as the Lt., Captain, Fire Marshal for the Sierra F.D. from 1989 until 1999.

Robert had become certified in 1969 as a Red Cross first-aid instructor using his skills and experience gained from his Navy background and employment with the ambulance service to teach other's the basic skills of life saving intervention. After serving in Vietnam Robert had seen firsthand the devastation that comes with war and the trauma it can produce. He felt it was important that everyone have the knowledge and skills at hand to be able to act in such an emergency. Through his career in law enforcement and the fire department he made it his personal goal to instill this intrinsic knowledge into everyone he trained. Showing them through classes and through real world emergency situations that you could remain calm when faced with a crisis, use your training and impact someone at the time of their greatest need. Robert undoubtedly has saved a few lives of his own during his years of service, but the legacy he leaves us is seen in the training and equipping of countless others, who together have saved so many lives.

Mr. Overmier loved the Roswell community and entrenched himself in various pockets and facets. He was a member of the Roswell Noon-Optimist believing that fostering the next generation was a way to ensure the integrity of the city; he was involved with the FOP; Red Cross; Sheriff Police Association; and the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club (active and retired law enforcement).

Robert is survived by his two sons Richard Overmier of Roswell NM and Randall and Carla Overmier of Roswell NM; grandchildren Chani, Matthew, and Cordell. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Romero; sister Mary Ellen Smith. The privilege of pallbearer has been given to Sheriff Britt Snyder, Chief Devon Graham, Howard Hicks, Don Nelson, William Hatcher and Clayton Torres. Those entrusted as honorary pallbearers are the Chaves County Sherriff's Deputies and City and County Fire Services.

Services will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 10:30am at Ballard Funeral Home with interment to follow at South Park Cemetery.

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