Alfred L. Meister, 90, died May 14, 2018 at a Bangor hospital. He was born in Gardner, MA on Nov. 22, 1927 before the family moved back to Nova Scotia. After attending public schools there he completed nursing school in Halifax and then was working as an RN at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. After a difficult combat tour in Korea with the U.S. Army Medical Corps., 45th Infantry Division, 1950-52, Al shifted his life focus. Receiving a BA in Biology from Boston University in 1955 he and his wife Joan moved to Maine where he earned a MS degree in Zoology from U Maine, Orono in 1958. Al began with the newly formed Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission as a Research Associate in 1955, worked for the Commission and the sportsmen (and women) of Maine for more than 30 years, and was the Chief Biologist for 21 of those years before retiring in October, 1988.
He also was recognized internationally as an Atlantic Salmon expert and has been asked to serve on many different commissions and boards. Al has been a scientific delegate for the U.S. to the International Council for Exploration of the Sea; a member of the ICES/ICNAF (International Commission for Northwest Atlantic Fisheries) Joint Working Party on North Atlantic Salmon (Boston-1967, Copenhagan-1969 & 1972, Greenland-1970); and he represented NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service as a member of the International Salmon Tagging Program in West Greenland for many years. He served as Special Advisor to the U.S. Commissioners, North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO), 1985-88; and served on the U.S. delegation to the ICES Acid Rain Study Group meetings in 1987-88. In March, 1982 Al was awarded the Bensinger-Liddell Salmon Fellowship by the International Atlantic Salmon Foundation and Atlantic Salmon Trust to conduct international research in the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom. Al also was a Scientific Advisor to the National Directors, Trout Unlimited from 1979-90. In 1981 the U.S. State Department appointed Al as member at large to the Pollution Advisory Board on the St. Croix River International Joint Commission and in 1986 made him a full member of the U.S. delegation where he served for several years.
During his professional years, Al authored or co-authored more than 43 publications. He has presented seminars at many New England universities and at such diverse locations as the University of Liverpool, England and the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory, Pitlochry, Scotland.
Al was a member of Penobscot County Conservation Association, Trout Unlimited, Eddington Salmon Club, Veazie Salmon Club (1995 recipient of the Norman Bacon Sportsman’s Award) , Miramichi Salmon Association, Maine Trappers Association, NTA, and many other sportsman’s groups. He also belonged to the Marsh River Lodge #102, AF&AM and to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3381 and was a past president of the Rotary Club, Old Town.
He enjoyed time spent hunting, fishing, and trapping but most importantly he enjoyed teaching the youth about outdoor conservation and enjoyed representing military veterans talking to youth at Cole’s Land Transportation museum. He enjoyed collecting and trading coins.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Joan (Sator) Meister; four children JoAnn M. Friedman of Nashua, NH; John R. Meister and his wife Shannon of Old Town; Susan P. Hewitt and husband Jyuji of Peach Bottom, PA; and Alfred J. Meister and wife Nancy Patrick of Jackson; 11 grandchildren Allyson Breen, Katrina Banks, Danielle Magner, Stacy Meister, Dennis Leonard, Melady Love, Mark Leonard, Christie Mabe, Rebecca Leonard, Matthew Hewitt, Andrew Hewitt; 19 great grandchildren Nathan, Alexander, Benjamin, Catherine, Miranda Breen, Kaitlyn and Cassandra Banks, Meghan and Oliver Magner, Bennett, Milena, and Iliana Meister, Delaney, ChaiNa, and Akai Love, Patience and Logan Mabe, Megan and Bailey Hewitt. He was predeceased by his parents Roy and Marguerite Meister, and brother Stacy Meister and his wife Opal.
Friends may call 6-8 PM Monday at the Birmingham Funeral Home 328 Main st Old Town, ME 04468 where a funeral service will be conducted 11AM Tuesday with Rev. Barry Blackstone, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Lawndale Cemetery, Old Town.
Memorial contributions to Maine Youth Fish and Game Association PO Box 337 Stillwater, ME 04489 or Hospice of Eastern Maine c/o EMHS Foundation PO Box 931 Bangor ME 04402
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5