One of the original founding partners of Peter-Roberts Antiques, Robert N. Melita, died November 9 after a long illness, at age 50.

Along with his business partner Peter Smorto, Melita opened Peter-Roberts Antiques in the heart of SoHo on Labor Day 1986, and immediately established himself as one of the leaders in the explosive reemergence of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. People were just discovering the integrity and value of the works of Gustav Stickley, his brothers and the other Arts and Crafts artists and Robert, with a discerning eye and gracious manner, helped usher in a new era of discovery for this solid and dependable furniture style.

In recent years, following a move in 2001 to the present location at 39 Bond Street, Robert had the foresight to add mid-Twentieth Century furniture from George Nakashima to his already extensive Arts and Crafts collection. Realizing that the designs from the middle of the century were harmonious with the strict discipline of the Stickley period, Robert, and Peter-Roberts Antiques, established themselves as trend setters in the field and went to great lengths to emphasize the harmony between the styles of the beginning and the middle of the last century.

Robert is survived by his wife Anna-Marie and daughter Isabella, his parents Libby and Tony, and a brother, Anthony.

Robert was a great supporter of the Lance Armstrong Foundation; memorial contributions may be made to the foundation at PO Box 130819, Houston TX 77219-0819 or at www.livestrong.com.