Robert L. Byrd Jr.

Robert L. Byrd Jr, 82, transitioned on February 20, 2026, while surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born to the late Menerva Hurt and the late Robert L. Byrd Sr., son of the late William Gillespie Sr and Letha Gillespie, who showed Robert what unconditional love was.

Robert graduated from Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, in 1963, where he was a star basketball player, leading to a scholarship from Western Michigan University. Robert was drafted into the United States Army after three years at Western Michigan, serving from 1968 to 1971. After serving his country, he accepted a scholarship to Gannon College (University), where he obtained his degree in 1974. Robert taught in the Erie Public Schools System for about four years.

He was employed by AMSCO, which later became Steris Corporation, and retired after over 40 years of service. Robert loved traveling and was an avid fisherman. He was also known as the “King of Yard Sales”.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Rose Byrd and Dorothy Lewis, brothers, David Gray, Henry Byrd, and Bennie Wilson, and grandson, Jeremiah Heidelberg.

He leaves to cherish his memory his only daughter, Nicole Byrd; sons, Richard Byrd and Jabari Morganfield, all of Erie; his siblings, Kathryn Perry (Indiana), Paula Crockett (Tennessee), Carrie Wilson-Strahan (Illinois), Clementine Davis (Texas), Arthur Wilson (Maine), and Abe Mitchell (Illinois); grandchildren, Kevanna Byrd, Demarius Byrd, Angela Byrd, Melvon Heidelberg, Lamere Byrd, all of Erie, and Donald Heidelberg (Florida) and twenty-two great-grandchildren. He is further survived by close special friends, Sam Beason, Vinny and Lou Isaacs, Rudy Satterfield and a host of friends and family.

Friends may call at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. Downtown, 602 West 10th Street, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until time of memorial service at 4:00 p.m. Full Military Honors will be presented after the service. Burial will be private.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com