When illness forced John Peter “Pete” Meyer from the job he loved at Lucent Technologies, he decided he would not stay at home and do nothing.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy and fighting cancer, Mr. Meyer would go to Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst two or three days a week and help students with computer programs and class work.
“He was on disability but he said he had to do something, so he went to our children’s school and helped out when he could,” his wife, Diane, said. “He was so warm-hearted.”
Mr. Meyer died Saturday, March 23, in his Lombard home after a long battle with adrenal cancer.
Mr. Meyer was 12 when his family left his birthplace in Vancouver, B.C., for Sioux Center, Iowa, where his father attended school to become a minister.
The family then moved to Mississippi to serve a church in Clinton, where Mr. Meyer graduated from high school. He went back to the same school his father attended, graduating from Dordt College with a bachelor’s degree in business.
He moved to Chicago for his first position at the public relations firm of David J. Edelman and Associates. During that time he received a marketing MBA from DePaul University.
He and his wife later moved to the western suburbs, settling in Lombard. More than 15 years ago he became a manager of product services for Lucent Technologies. He was a positive influence on co-workers and employees.
“We have received so many e-mails telling us that he was the best boss that people had,” his wife of 16 years said. “He would stay late and always take the time to talk to someone if they had a problem or a project that they needed to work through. Even if he was swamped or had to rush home, he would stop … and help people out.”
Mr. Meyer was passionate about his faith, volunteering with Couples Club activities, homeless shelters and serving several terms as a deacon at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst. In the fall of 1998, a new Christian Reformed church was opening to serve the Lisle area. Mr. Meyer and his wife became founding members of the Horizon Community Church, helping to recruit others and serving his faith community.
Mr. Meyer also coached his three children’s soccer and baseball teams and served on the Education Committee at Timothy Christian Schools.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth and Stephanie; a son, Brendan; his parents, Rev. Thomas and Marion; two sisters, Mary-anne and Teresa Waters; and a brother, Walter.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, in Knollcrest-Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Rd., Lombard. Visitation will continue at 10 a.m. on Wednesday in Faith Christian Reformed Church, 1070 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, until the service in the church at 11 a.m.
