Herman Meyer III
Herman Carl Meyer III, 73, died Wednesday, July 10.
He was born in Petoskey, Mich. to Herman Carl and Hazel Meyer. He was a resident of Oakdale for 32 years.
He learned early the many handy skills for a full life by helping his parents in their hardware store. Soon he was lured away by the charm of the sky and he earned his pilot’s license by the age of 15. Later, he went on to earn his multi-engine license, commercial flight instructor’s license, and his airline transport rating.
Leaving his home town, he attended the University of Michigan earning degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, Engineering Math, and finally, his Juris Doctor (law). During this time, he met and married Susan and they had two children by the time he graduated.
Mr. Meyer’s first job in Washington D.C. was for the FAA as a general counsel. He soon realized that government service was not a good fit. Later, he took a job with Lear Jet Corp. in Wichita, Kans. as general counsel and secretary. There he was able to combine his love for law and his love for flying by obtaining his type rating in the Lear Jet models 23, 24, and 25. From there, he worked with fellow Lear Jet pilot, attorney F. Lee Bailey, to organize air traffic controllers, negotiating wages and benefits for the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO).
From that turbulent time, he moved his family to Northern California where he settled into a private practice in Oakland. There he also began volunteering for the Oakland Police Department as a Reserve Patrol Sergeant. In 1981, he moved his growing family to the Central Valley to follow a cowboy’s dream. He practiced law, as well as joining the California Team Roper’s Association, Oakdale Saddle Club, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, Aero Squadron of Stanislaus Sheriff’s Department. In all of these roles as patroller, investigator, pilot, he volunteered his time and efforts for the benefit of his community.
Many will remember him in different interests. He loved skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing and most recently boating. In 2003, he bought Meyer Haven, a 59 foot motor-yacht and spent 10 years trying to convince his wife that they should live full time on her. He joined and became commodore of the Village West Yacht Club and a member of Ebony Yacht Club. Many will remember him for his enthusiasm for life.
He leaves a large family and a larger hole.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; son, Herman C. (Amy) Meyer IV; daughters, Sara (John), Anne, Emily (Jonathan); and grandchildren, Amanda, Herman Carl Meyer V, Rebecca, JC, Jake and Ellie.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 26 at the Oakdale Community Christian Reformed Church. A reception will follow at the Oakdale Saddle Club at the rodeo grounds.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in his name to www.support.operationsmile.org/go/hermanmeyer.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
July 24, 2013
