Robert Bachelor, 83, of Front Royal, Virginia died on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at his home.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11 AM at Prospect Hill Cemetery with Sammy Campbell officiating.
Mr. Bachelor was born on October 21, 1938 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Clyde Basil and Alma Chapin Bachelor. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and David Bachelor and a sister, Norma Bachelor Kayati. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and attended Ohio State University where he played freshman baseball with Hall of Famers, Frank Howard and John Havlicek.
Survivors include his wife, Westy Matthews Bachelor of Front Royal; son, Elliott W. Bachelor and his wife, Kellie Slaughter Bachelor of Front Royal; daughter, Ruth Bachelor Burton and her husband, Master Chief Anthony J. Burton, USN Ret. of Westerville, Ohio and three grandchildren, Frances W. Campbell of Front Royal, Celia R. Burton of Westerville, Ohio and Palmer W. Bachelor of Front Royal.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 11, 2021 from 3 to 5 PM at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal.
Robert was an active member of Subud, an international spiritual organization with members from all faiths of the world. He served this organization in many ways, both here and internationally, from 1965 to the present. Being a part of Subud gave Robert the foundation for his relationships with people both in business and his personal life. He will be greatly missed by his fellow Subud members.
Robert moved to Los Angeles in 1967 where he delved into acting, drove a taxi out of the West Hollywood garage from midnight to 6:00 A.M. and worked in the restaurant business.
In the spring of 1970 he moved to Front Royal to help friends open a summer camp, Skymont. It became a very active international community. Robert opened the Melting Pot Pizza in April 1972. The business is now celebrating its 50th year.
In the winter of 1979, Robert took the Trans-Siberian Railway across Russia. He always said that it was the coldest winter Russia had seen in 100 years.
In the fall of 1979 Robert and Westy moved to Jakarta Indonesia for two years, where he opened a restaurant for friends. Their daughter, Ruth, was born there.
In 1983 the family, which included son Elliott by then, moved to West Los Angeles where he opened a restaurant, the Pizzazz Café, in Westwood Village. They were there for the 1984 Olympics. The restaurant was a favorite gathering place for some of the Olympic athletes. They moved back to Front Royal in 1985.
Robert opened up two other successful Melting Pot Pizza restaurants in the area, Berryville in 1977 and Middletown in 1982. He sold them in order to spend more time with his family and concentrate on the original restaurant in Front Royal.
Robert embraced Front Royal. He loved the people and always worked to make it a better community. He had a passion for golf, thoroughbreds, storytelling and jokes.
Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, boss, mentor, and American Patriot. He will long be remembered for his kindness and loyalty.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Warren County Fire and Rescue, 200 Skyline Vista Drive, Suite 200 Front Royal, VA 22630.
Wishing you peace to bring comfort,
Courage to face the days ahead
and Loving Memories to hold in your hearts forever.
RIP Robert! You are so loved and respected. You will be missed by us all. Sending my sincere Condolences and prayers to the family and friends. Until we meet again..Love, Smurf
My heart hurts for the entire Bachelor family…..may you at some point feel at peace
Prayers for family, friends and employees of Robert.
Robert was always kind to those he met.
Robert will be missed by all who experienced his ever humor and kindness. RIP ROBERT
Was an amazing man. Became friends when he opened the Melting Pot in 1972. He used to do some magic coin tricks for me. He helped sponsor me on a mission trip to Romania a few years ago. He had a huge heart and love for people. Love you Robert.
God Bless the Bachelor family & friends in this time of loss.
Blessings and guidance on the path. Thanks for being witness at my opening. Dare I say may Allah guide you always.
My deepest sympathies to everyone in the Bachelor Family.
I feel I have lost a loving, caring friend who I could always depend on. One who was always ready to help. It didn’t matter if we had been keeping in touch or whether many years had passed, he was always there as if we had spoken yesterday.
I hold close and cherish the many happy memories we shared, and appreciate the many opportunities he gave me.
I realize how important he was to so many people. My condolences to all in the Subud and Melting Pot
Families, and sympathy to all who knew him. If you knew him, you were family.
During the summer of 1972, I first became acquainted with Robert and his fellow hombres from the Melting Pot at the Bing Crosby Basketball Courts. Robert would be dressed in Ohio State colors with full headband and wrist sweat bands. Even during the pickup games, one could tell that he had a strong competitive spirit that reflected why he was a successful entrepreneur. There seemed to be something special about Robert that gravitated people towards him (an inner coolness). He was “the dude” to me even though I was a distant acquaintance to Robert. Cheers to a life well lived. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Warmest condolences sent to Ruth and family during this time . May the memories bring you comfort.
God bless, RIP mentor and friend. Many blessings for your family and friends. I personally feel a great loss. One of the beast hearted people I have ever met. Love to Westy, your Children and grandchildren.
Prayers 🙏from the Heart ❤️ for the Bachelor
Family, friends, Employees and all that knew him. He was the greatest man that would help anyone.
We moved to FrontRoyal in 1979 and the the Friendship grew with Bob each and everyday. There is no better place as the melting Pot. My husband and Bob helped give the inmates at the Warren County Jail a wonderful meal at Christmas time for many years knowing they could not get out to enjoy their family. He will be missed ! RIP Bob !
Ron and Pam Brinkley
Robert was a great friend and praying for the family as the family was most important in his life. Praying for the love of his life Westy and her beautiful family
Robert was such a good guy to be around and talk to as he was very intelligent. He was such an adventurer and so independent.
Rest in peace my brother. We love you.
Jimmy I just saw your comment to Robert’s obituary. You guys were crazy together. I still have 14 thoroughbreds. Let me know if you are running short! Son Elliott is doing a great job with horses and restaurant. 10 months and it is still sinking in that I am boss lady. I am working hard to rise to the occasion.
I hope you and your family are well. We all had lots of good times.
Best ever to everyone,
Westy
Robert was a true Pillar of our Fair Town.
He never met a stranger, always a kind and caring person who inspired so many.
He has a legacy that will continue for generations.
RIP Robert! Thank You for your kindness and your love for mankind! You received my family with open arms and loved them as your own. My husband and I were able to meet you and felt your love and kindness immediately. There is no greater gift than the sincere love you showed and offered to my family. You will truly be missed by many. Not just in Front Royal but all over the Nation. Godspeed Bachelor. May your legacy continue thru every life you touched. Thank You” A true Hero! Gone but not forgotten 💕
Deepest condolence to Westy and family, i met Robert at age 14, around 1975, i loved the Melting Pot family so much that i decided i needed to work there, i wasnt hired, i just worked for free, then one day Robert said dont you think you should be getting paid? So funny, oh yes i said since i was already making pizza”s and we had so much fun in that kitchen it was never like work. I cherished the times sitting in Roberts booth hearing all his jokes some of them i tell to this day. I remember sitting in awe listening to his stories of his adventures of things i could only imagine . We were so particular about how the pizza was made and any new recruits soon found that out. One day Robert asked me if i would like to go to Berryville to help train the new folks hired there, and thats the day my life changed forever, as i met my husband Sam , who soon found out, this is not your normal workplace, we have fun here, and Robert is the coolest boss/person on the planet. There will never be another like him, and he has left a legacy to surely be proud of, touching so many lives in a positive way, including mine. I was so saddened to hear of his passing, but on the other hand i knew heaven has welcomed a new comedian. Peace be with you, Joanna and Sam Levi.
What a sweet man he was. I remember telling him that he needed to open up in a bigger place. I think he was just fine where they were. All you have to say is “Melting Pot” and the reaction always the same. “Best pizza around.” Need one in every town. May you Rest In Peace.
I will miss the twinkle in his eye, his laugh. He was a wonderful man. Mischievous and loved life. A strong, tough guy actually that didn’t take a lot of guff but was big-hearted and always fair. In the early days the restaurant saw it’s share of kooks. I worked there then and saw Robert end so many problems, help so many people. Always tried to help people and he built a great reputation as a person and for his business. He cared about people. Truly cared. My condolences to his family and all who loved him. God speed, Robert.
Let us not be sad because it is over;
but rejoice that it happened!
Robert was such a loving and inspirational part of all of our lives, and will be greatly missed!
Much love to the Bachelor family and to our Melting Pot family!
Robert was one of those guys you could always depend on. Solid as a rock and somehow above the fray that most of us experience in life. He gave people confidence. …I was having problems starting a business, worried that after months of effort, it would never get going. “Keep leaning on the door. Eventually it will open,” Robert told me. A hundred times I’d refer back to his words whenever the doubts appeared afterwards, I just kept going. The business did indeed opened. …May God bless him and receive him well for all the kindness he gave to so many, and may he be forgiven for all his mistakes in this life. Amen.
I went to work at The Pot in the winter of 1982 when I was almost fourteen. I tell people that in my teen years, I was raised by free spirits, hippies, and everyone in between. As a young man, I started cleaning pans and watching everyone else. I did not know what to think, but I will say, “I saw some stuff.” Everyone embraced me like a little brother; they protected me and taught me many life lessons. It was easy, show up for work, customers first, work hard, and be nice. I was hired when Robert was in LA; I remember when I first met him; to me, he was larger than life itself. By the time I was fifteen, the ole’ mighty Marie had trusted me to do prep work on the weekends, and I was so proud that she thought I could do it. If you worked there, the Bachelor’s considered you family. I owe the Melting Pot a huge IOU…Rest in peace, Robert; you earned it.