David Edward Meyer, 87, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2016 after a brief illness. David, son of the late Ray and Vivien Meyer, was born in Kewanee, Illinois, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946, then used the GI Bill to study pharmacy at the University of Iowa. After graduation, he worked as a salesman in Chicago for the Upjohn Company. In 1958, he transferred to Kalamazoo, where he worked in Product Development, Sterile Products, and finally Production before retiring from Upjohn in 1988.
Dave was an avid outdoorsman and shared this passion with his family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, canoeing, camping, and downhill and cross-country skiing. Far from slowing down after retirement, he took up rock climbing at age 59, snowboarding at 69, and went on his last summer climbing trip and final ski trip to Aspen, Colorado when he was 80. He loved to run, starting in the late 1960s and continuing until his early 80s. He was a regular participant at races throughout southwest Michigan for decades and won dozens of medals for his age group.
David was preceded in death seven months earlier by Sarah, his loving wife of nearly sixty years, and by his brother Don of Kewanee, Illinois. He is survived by his daughter Anne Meyer and Anne's partner Preston Eakins of Kalamazoo; his son Alan Meyer and daughter-in-law Evelyn Causey of Auburn, Alabama; and two grandchildren who miss their Grandpa Dave very much. David is also survived by his brother, Delwyn, also of Kalamazoo.
There will be a celebration of David's life on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1515 Helen Ave, Portage, Michigan, 49002. Visitation with the family begins at 10am and the service will take place at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Kalamazoo Nature Center or Westminster Presbyterian Church.