Meyer Proctor, 76, of Park Forest, died Monday of congestive heart failure in Ft. Myers, Fla. A native of Florida, Mr. Proctor received his second master’s degree at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Mr. Proctor was a journalist for the American Broadcasting Co., where he began as a news editor, then moved to assignment editor. Later he became the Midwest bureau chief for ABC Radio. He stayed with ABC for 23 years. Mr. Proctor also worked as head of public relations with the Illinois State Department of Mental Health for 10 years, retiring in 1983. “He was active in the community and got involved in the things that were important to him,” said Rabbi Ellen Dreyfus of Temple B’nai Yehuda Beth Sholom, Homewood, where Mr. Proctor was a member. “He really took the time and cared about people. His kids’ friends were always welcome, and he was always tolerant of unusual people,” she said. Mr. Proctor was very active in organizing the Parent Teacher Association in Park Forest and was the first PTA president in Park Forest District 162. He also organized the Cub Scouts in the village, was on the board of the village aqua center, was a block captain and officer of the temple congregation. Dreyfus remembers Mr. Proctor as “Delightful. I was tremendously fond of him. He was funny and intelligent and challenging.” Mr. Proctor is survived by his wife, Marjorie; two daughters, Cathy and Elizabeth; a son, Michael; four brothers; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Services were held Thursday in Homewood.
