First of all, I had no idea there was a memorial for Mr Switzer I would definitely been there!! 
What a man!!! Loved his family and country! Outdoors was his haven, smile always close by!
He took me and my son,( his first day ever on MTN) skiing which was very important to me as he would drop me off many bites after skiing. Digging the drain line with Scott at the lake late 60's for bathroom.
His family were awesome to me!
Love them all
God bless you
Mr Switzer

I had the privilege of hiring Merle to be Great Salt Lake Minerals (GSL) regional sales manager after he retired from Cominco.  During the interview I quickly learned that I was dealing with a man of real "substance".  He had sons approximately my age; never divulged his military experiences, was direct, knowledgeable and a joy to be with.
His first sales meeting with all the sales staff was interesting to say the least.  When I walked into the meeting room, every sales person was squatted down with their backs against the walls seeing who could hold the position the longest.  Of course  Merle won that hands down explaining that the exercise was what the ski patrol guys did to strengthen their thighs.  He was the only person in GSL to retire and receive an engraved watch which was paid for by his peers.  The then president of GSL indicated that he would not approve any company funds for the watch.  I explained it was the sales staff who chipped in for the watch.  He then said " I spent 23 years with General Electric  and never received such a present.  My unspoken thought was " you were never comparable to a Merle Switzer.  So few men are.

I met Merle and his son while fishing in Yakutat, Alaska in Sep 2018. I’m in the Navy and we talked some about his childhood and his service in the Army. He talked about growing up on a farm in SD and how he became a crack shot with a lever action .22 rifle, shooting pheasants “on the wing” by the dozen to help feed the family (much easier to clean without birdshot!). My Dad and I were amazed, and very touched, by his poignant memories of WWII and the brutal fighting on the Shuri Line in Okinawa. I could tell those memories were still crystal clear to him. I later wrote down as much of what he shared as I could remember. I’ve since told several of my fellow officers about the chance encounter I had with an American hero in Alaska, and I will tell my kids about him one day so they understand the sacrifice that was paid for their freedoms by so many members of the greatest generation. Thank you, Merle Switzer, for taking the time to share your memories. Thank you for your faithful service to this country. I’ll do my best to live up to that Incredible legacy of service that your generation passed on to mine. Rest In Peace, and I pray your loved ones are comforted knowing you are now reunited with your wife and your Army buddies that you lost so many years ago.

While going through Dad's files, I ran across an excerpt from Rosamunde Pilcher’s September: A Novel, which he apparently had shared with a friend, Dale Massey, upon the death of his wife, Myrna, who was one of my Mom’s best friends. I figured that if Dad thought it appropriate to share with Dale, it might just be appropriate to share with all of you. It said:

“Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well.”
In my heart, my home, my life, Dad will always be a household word and will be as he always was. He was my father, my friend, my advisor, my favorite ski buddy, my playmate, my role model, my hero. He will be irreplaceable, leaving a huge void in my life as did my mother’s passing. I am now an orphan, but one that has had the advantage of being raised by two of the most wonderful parents ever. I was loved unconditionally.

Thinking of you these days and cherishing memories of times together with Merle and Carol. We were married the same fall in 1950. They were our first "couple" friends. Being in touch through the years has been a blessing in our lives. May God strengthen and comfort you as you celebrate Merle's life!!
With love,
Myla

Dear Barb and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad and so sorry for all he endured before passing. It is so heart breaking to see our loved ones suffer. We are thankful that he is now at  peace in a much more amazing place with many other family members. 

Growing up, you and your family were the ones we just waited for to come and visit. It seems like when we talked about our cousins that meant Barb, Paul and Scott. You and your parents were so amazing to share so much with us every time you came. Of course, we can just visualize all of you driving up to our cabin with a big boat attached to your car! That truly meant GREAT FUN for all of us! 

I remember wonderful times with all of you at Aunt Myrtle's, too. She was amazing and truly let us have fun at her house. 

I am so thankful that we got to see all of you at Joe's a couple of years ago. All of you were exactly as I remembered you. You are close to my heart! 
May the Peace of God be with all of you...now and forever.
With love and prayers,
Kathy, Drew and Family

Dear Barb, Paul, and Scott,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of you and your families. Surely each of you cherish the many wonderful years you've had together with your Dad. 
Sending our love,
Suzanne and Walt Gregory

To the Switzer Family,

In 1963, I worked for your Dad in the Agronomy Dept. at WSU. He was always so pleasant, patient, and kind. I started in the spring and needed to take time off for student teaching. He held the job for me so I could come back and work through that summer. 

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting with him when he and Shirlene had stopped into Rita Marie's for lunch.  What a delight to see him and tell him how much I had enjoyed working for him so long ago at WSU. So glad we had that visit. He was always so proud of his family.

With sincere sympathy,
Sharon Torgerson

There is very little anyone can say or do,  but just know there are many of us that understand and care!
Hugs,
Shirley and Mike Chorvat

Merle was such a special man and we were sorry to hear of his death. His dedication to the Patrol was admirable and a great example for all. 

He will certainly be missed.

God bless all of you,
Linda nad Brad Pendleton

Dear Switzer family,
Merle was an inspiration to Al in skiing and the National Patrol. May you know what a good person he was known to be.
Warm regards,
Al and Bernie Toutant

We are sorry to hear of the loss of your father, knowing of your loving care giving recently. What we didn't realize is that we recognize Merle from years at Whitworth Pres. and his faithful service there.
Our sincere sympathy to you and your extended family.
Warmly,
Tom and Ruth Ann Johnson

We will always remember Merle and the fun times we had on the Ski Patrol together.
Donna and Ray Larson

You were blessed with beautiful and wonderful parents and they live on in you  and through your children and theirs. 

Your father is in your mother's arms and God is taking good care of them as well as you.

All our prayers and love are with you and your family.

Rosalee and Dennis McElveen

Dear Family,
We offer you our sincere condolences. Merle was a remarkable man and he will be missed. 
I worked for Merle that last five years he worked at Cominco. We had a successful group with Merle at the head of the group. I was fortunate to learn many things from him. We enjoyed many hours in conversation. 

I did get to visit with him a couple of years ago. Lynn and I offer greatest sympathies to all of you. Merle will be remembered. 

May faith, family and friends bring peace. 
Frank Schumacher


I first met Merle my last year on Session and his first. After a lengthy discussion over what to do about an organist who chose not to follow directions, I expressed she should be discharged. In the morning, Merle and I were out walking. He told me he liked the way I thought and asked if he could be on my committee! 

I liked respect and admired him ever since! He was a true gentleman and a very nice guy.
Chuck Young

I remember Merle's smile! Whenever we would meet, he had this brilliant smile.

His skiing skill made a target for me. I never achieved it but it was fun.

I also remember his response when Carol died. It was the aloneness of coming home to an empty house.

Live boldly and for God,
Dick

I have such fond memories of your dear Father, husband and Grandpa, dear loved ones!
He was such a kind man with a warm smile and it was always a joy and privilege to talk to him at church over these many years we have been at Whitworth Church! He was never too busy to stop and visit! I will truly miss your dear husband, Shirlene, and your Dad and Papa(Merle's children and Grands)! May you all be comforted by your wonderful memories of Merle and know that he is in the loving presence now of his Lord and Savior after living an incredible life here on earth! May God give you all his hope, comfort, strength and peace now and in all the days ahead!
In Christ,
Sara and Jim McClinton 

Karen Yakely
From 1969-1976 we were neighbors of Merle and Carol on Whitworth Terrace and members with them at Whitworth Church. Our preschool children used to visit them frequently to jump on their waterbed - something they were not allowed to do at home.

Our son grew up and was in the Air Force for 27 years. Merle never ceased to ask about Matt after 50 years! He was always interested in what the little boy who used to visit him was doing - typical of Merle.



Merle and I shared a love of skiing and served together for years as Ski Patrol partners. We skied together many times at local ski areas with my family. He was great partner and friend and we enjoyed those time with him immensely. Merle and I also shared service to our country and the unfortunate  distinction of serving in combat. When I was a newly commissioned  Army Lt. facing combat in Desert Storm, he told me “he wished it were him rather than I going”. My thoughts  then was Merle more than did his part with two Purple Hearts in combat far worse than any I eventually experienced. He said the same when I headed off to Iraq and Afghanistan; he was a true patriot and friend. I enjoyed talking Army with him and my Dad at the Rosauers and the Old European Restaurants over coffee (or in Merles case tea/warm water). Those times were truly therapeutic and an honor to connect with a real American hero. My biggest regret is not getting to be at his Men’s Ministry Breakfast when he talked to the group on his experiences and thoughts on his time in arms. I was headed to a Korean exercise, but  know I missed a special time that I would have valued. The other regret is not getting to spend more of that time and more skiing with him, but I am grateful for the time I did. My family and I will truly miss him. God’s Speed Merle and God’s healing and blessings to your family. 

OBITUARIO

Merle Eldon Switzer

3 julio, 1926 – 6 diciembre, 2019

Ball & Dodd Funeral Home

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