Richard H. Meyer died Friday, January 7, 2022, in his armchair at home in West Union. He was 89. Richard Henry Meyer was born April 29, 1932, in West Union. As a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, he was baptized May 22, 1932, and confirmed April 14, 1946. He grew up on a family farm northeast of Eldorado. He attended country school through eighth grade at Dover No. 4 Willow Springs, and graduated from West Union High School in 1950. From 1953 to 1955, he served in the U.S. Army, traveling around the country to military sites in Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington, California and Nevada. As a member of the 573rd Ordnance Company, he witnessed the testing of atomic bombs at Camp Desert Rock northwest of Las Vegas. In later years, he was a cancer survivor, one of many who were “downwinders” from the atomic tests.
After his honorable discharge, he hitchhiked home from California to Iowa and married Ramona (Olson) on September 24, 1955. They were blessed with more than 66 years of marriage. They farmed northeast of Eldorado from 1955 to 1998, raising four sons on the dairy farm, including nearly 20 years in partnership with their son David and his wife Julianne. They moved to West Union in 1998.
Richard was an active member of American Legion Post 15 of West Union. He and Ramona loved to travel, including Germany, Alaska, Hawaii and other states. He studied World War II and was an expert on the subject as a mentor for high school seniors working on their capstone projects. In 2014, he traveled to Washington, D.C., on an Honor Flight for veterans organized by Sullivan Hartogh Davis American Legion Post 730, Waterloo. He loved playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and telling stories to his beloved grandchildren. He collected John Deere toys and was an avid football fan, especially the Green Bay Packers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Johanna (Hannah) M. Meyer; and his brother, George, and sister-in-law Luella (Tudy).
He is survived by his wife, Ramona; his four sons, Bruce (Lori) of North Liberty; David (Julianne) of Arlington; Brian (Janell) of Ames; and Curtis (Joyce) of Medicine Lake, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, January 14, 2022 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado, Iowa. Military Honors will follow the service at the church before burial.
Burial will be at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery in Eldorado, Iowa.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.