Leroy Carl Meyer

LeRoy Carl Meyer, 92, of Idaho Falls, passed away February 24, 2023, at Lincoln Court Retirement Community.

LeRoy was born on February 17, 1931 in Wisner Township, Iowa, one of 8 children born to George H. and Martha (Lemke) Meyer. The family moved to a farm outside of Barnesville, Minnesota, when LeRoy was seven. He spent his childhood working on 4H projects and helping with all of the chores and responsibilities that come with farming life.

He graduated from the Minnesota Barnesville High School in 1949. He completed one year of college at North Dakota Agricultural College, but then enlisted in the US Marine Corps at the beginning of the Korean conflict. He was an aircraft technician and later taught classes at the base in Jacksonville, Florida. While stationed there, he met his wife, Mary, at a USO dance. They were married on April 18, 1954.

After completing his military service, having reached the rank of Staff Sergeant, he went on to earn his Bachelor's in 1957 and his Master's in 1960, degrees in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo, North Dakota. He earned his doctorate from the University of New Mexico in 1966.

In 1965, he went to work for EG&G Inc, where he worked as a lead engineer and manager on various scientific programs, including the effects of radiation on electronics, environmental programs, and the effects of aging electrical equipment at nuclear power plants. In 1977, the family moved to Idaho Falls when LeRoy was transferred to the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. He was a supervisor in the nuclear power reactor fuel research program. As part of those responsibilities he studied the rods from the Three Mile Island disaster. He also taught electrical and computer engineering courses at the University of Idaho satellite campus in Idaho Falls. He retired from INEL in January 1995, but continued teaching.

After retirement he continued to be an active member of the community. He served as the Head Usher at Trinity for decades, greeting members and visitors with a smile and a bulletin. He volunteered with the AARP, helping people complete their taxes until the "numbers got too small" for him to see. He was an active member of the American Legion, serving in the honor guard for military funerals.

He enjoyed playing checkers and other board games, and making wine. Summer found him tending his garden, especially his large raspberry patch.

LeRoy is survived by six children, Martha (Terry) Real of Fairfax, Virginia, Susan (Dave) Hansen of Purcellville, Virginia, Ed (Tammy) Meyer of Vacaville, California, Mary Beth (Steve) Ellis of Prosser, Washington, Bruce (Erica) Meyer of Murray, Utah, and Emily (Mike) Dickerson of Sterling, Virginia; plus 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Leona Abbas, Wilma Fredericks, Melvin Meyer, Idella Holland, Donna Mae Eid, Joyce Braton, and Gerald Meyer; his beloved wife, Mary; and two of his sons, Larry and Timothy.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 N. Water. The family will visit with friends from 1:00 p.m to 1:45 p.m. prior to service. Graveside services at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery will follow funeral services. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Marine Corps Honor Guard. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.