Woody was born on July 21, 1934 at the home where he grew up in Bancroft, Nebraska. After graduating from High School he attended the University of Nebraska for two years before joining the Army and serving two years in Korea as a Motor Officer and Radio Repairman. He then returned home in January of 1956 and married the love of his life, Reva, August 18, 1956. He returned to the University of Nebraska and completed his BS in Electrical Engineering. After graduation he went to work for Dale Electric in Columbus NE, he then went to work for Crosley Electronics in Minnesota which was purchased by Hewlett Packard (HP.) Later he was offered the opportunity to start a new office for HP in Kansas City. He said “Kansas City, that’s south of here, I’ll take it.” He often joked that he did not go far enough south; KC was still too cold for him.
During their 64 years of happy married life they raised 7 children, saw 18 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren born and raised. While raising 7 children kept Woody very busy he found time to get his pilot’s license in 1969 and flew a Twin Beech 18 aircraft. He also spent many weekends with the family at the Lake of the Ozarks. He was quite the skier, but also spent time working on the boat and teaching his children to ski. In his efforts to make sure all his children were safe at the lake, he had them take swimming lessons at the local YMCA. This started several years of him being involved with the YMCA as a board member. He also spent many hours repairing the equipment used to filter and clean the pool. Woody was very handy at repairing anything that needed fixing. He was also an active member of the Lions Club and even spent a few years helping to transport donor eyes when needed.
He retired from HP in 1986 after nearly 26 years. He then returned to “farm” life when he and Reva moved to Stover, MO on the Lake of the Ozarks. While this was not farming land it did give the opportunity for his children and grand-children to hunt, fish and enjoy the out of doors. He and Reva also spent several years traveling, mostly south, exploring the US. He also spent many years searching for Ellis Gas Engines. Woody started his collection of Ellis Engines when he was just a youngster back on the farm in NE when his Dad made a deal with him, if he could restore the Ellis Engine they had, he could have it. He successfully restored the engine and that started his collection of Ellis Engines. He has a collection with at least one in every horsepower made. In 2016 he and Reva returned to the Kansas City area to be nearer family.
Woody was preceded in death by his parents William E. Meyer and Lillie A (Holm) Meyer, his sister Betty Jaworski, brothers Wayne Meyer (Bernice), Glen Meyer and Grand-daughter Danielle Nicole Rutledge. He is survived by his wife Reva J. (Miles) Meyer, brother James Meyer (Lois), sister-in-law Shirley Meyer, children Harlan E. Meyer (Elizabeth), Teresa L. Adams (Greg), Charles L. Meyer (Alana), Linda J. Gilliam, Julia A. Kice (James), Sandra K. Adams (William) , Suzanne M. Schlemeier (Mark). He leaves behind 17 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched.
