Gene Alan Meyer passed away suddenly on March 4 in Kirkwood.
Gene Alan Meyer passed away suddenly on March 4 in Kirkwood. He had just enjoyed a fabulous ski weekend with his wife and family.
Born Feb. 19, 1929, and raised in River Edge, N.J., he received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Lafayette College in Easton, Penn. where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. While working in the aerospace industry, he continued his graduate level engineering studies at prestigious schools in the Northeast – MIT, Penn State, Rennsealear Polytechnic Institute and Hartford Graduate School. He holds several patents for fuel pump design for aircraft as a result of his ingenuity.
Mr. Meyer enjoyed numerous outdoor activities. He was an accomplished pilot of both small aircraft and seaplanes and held a commercial pilot’s license. An avid skier, he excelled at both downhill and cross-country, however, he did pass on snowboarding. A skilled marksman, since the age of 15, he competed with the pistol team while serving in the U.S. Army, and was a charter member of the Metacon Gun Club in Simbsbury, Conn., the largest gun club in New England. In more recent years, he enjoyed the challenge of golf and relaxing by the pool. Mr. Meyer was always up to the adventures of traveling within the United States, Canada and Europe. He certainly had a joie de vivre, and laughed at any good joke.
Mr. Meyer was a remarkable man blessed with humor, intelligence and dignity and will be truly missed by his loving family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 13 amazing and wonderful years, Eunice Meyer. He was the beloved father of Ellen Jean Meyer of W. Simsbury. His brothers, Calvin Meyer, of Elliot City, Md., and Donald Meyer of Simsbury, will dearly miss their youngest sibling. Mr. Meyer’s best friend was Jerry Watts, Sr., who passed away in 1980. He is survived by his step children Jerry Watts, Jr. of Studio City, Lesley Walder and her husband Mark of Napa, Dennis Watts and his wife Melinda of Gilroy, Amy van Hest and her husband Peter of Santa Maria and James Watts and his wife Lucy of Tiburon. His grandchildren will miss their “Papa”; Ryan Watts of Studio City, Alexander Walder of Napa, Kyle and Kate Watts of Gilroy. His step grandchildren Phillip van Hest of Los Angeles and Eleanor van Hest of Long Beach will remember him fondly. Twelve nieces and nephews, and several grandnieces and grandnephews also survive him.
Mr. Meyer was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolf Meyer and Gladys Bivens Meyer, as well as his first wife of 32 years, Eleanor Stofan Meyer.
A memorial mass and reception to celebrate Gene’s life will be held at noon at St. Mary’s Church on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or your favorite charity.
