Richard Myer

- — TRAVERSE CITY - Richard H. Myer, 83, of Traverse City, formerly of Highland Park and Jackson, passed away on June 15, 2010, at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Richard was born on July 24, 1926, to the late Harry and Ann (Hobson) Myer in Constantine. He was a kind, thoughtful, good-humored man with intelligence and a warm smile. He was a man you would like and trust. Richard grew up in a small town through the Great Depression. Just after high school, in World War II, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a sergeant in the Philippines and Japan. After the war, he graduated from Michigan State University as a veteran on the G.I. Bill. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Mary Patton, on Dec. 29, 1950, and they were happily married until her death in 2002. Richard worked as a credit manager until his retirement in 1991. He was a hard worker and well respected in his field. He saw beyond his own life and, along with his wife, had a lifelong involvement in the struggle for peace and justice. Richard was active in the civil rights movement, and he was always a strong, reasoned voice for peace. In 1966, he moved with his family from Madison Heights to inner city Highland Park, joining a thriving neighborhood of like-minded people, many of whom became life-long friends. Richard was an active member of the East Liberty (Michigan) and later the Traverse City Unitarian Universalist churches. Richard was a nature lover, a gardener, a camper, a skilled amateur photographer and an avid bird watcher. He enjoyed traveling, and he always loved to eat out, savoring the experience as well as the meal. He enjoyed people, and until the last week of his life he continued to host the 'Wednesday Night Group' of beloved friends. Richard grew quieter as he became more ill, yet he always retained his intelligence, quick mind, dry humor and interest in people and events. In his last years, he took great pleasure in simple things - lingering over the newspaper at breakfast, watching sports on TV, cursing the Tigers, visits from friends and a carefully prepared martini. Richard and Kathleen had a wonderful relationship. They were best friends and treated one another with great respect and affection. When Kathleen's health began to fail, Richard became her caregiver. This was a hard job that became increasingly difficult as time went by, but the years of love and sacrifice that Richard gave to Kathleen were willingly given. Richard is survived by his son, Richard W. Myer of Lansing; his daughter, Mary Myer of Rapid City; and many other loving friends and family members. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen in 2002; his parents; his brother, Robert Myer; and sister, Harriet Myer. A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse County, with Kevin Tarsa officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Unitarian Universalist Endowment Fund. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.