Albert Henry Meyer

Albert Henry Meyer, age 87, passed away December 10, 2022, after a mighty battle with his health the last 6 years of his life. Every day he approached life with joy and determination. When he was made aware he was approaching the end, he made the decision to enter hospice with the same resolve he used in life. Al was married to Marilyn (Neff) Meyer for 51 years before she passed away in November of 2007. He spent the last 11 years of his life with his beloved companion Janet Boshoven who was with him right up until the end. Al is survived by his brothers, John (Nancy) and William (Julie) Meyer; and sister, Elizabeth Meyer Frey. He is also survived by his son, Steve (Deb) Meyer; and his daughter, Susan (Michael) Wygmans. He has 6 grandchildren, Caitlin (Jason) Fulford, Jessica and Miranda Meyer, and Scott, Steven (Rachel) and Dana Wygmans.  He also has 3 great-grandchildren, Gavin, Finn and Conor Fulford.  Janet has three children who were also a big part of Al’s life, and they are Elizabeth (John) Blok, Barbara Boshoven and Mark (Amy) Boshoven; four grandchildren, Kristen and Kathryn Blok, and Jack and Ryan Boshoven; four great-grandchildren, Ryley and Wyatt Heavner, Jackson and Warren Begley.

He was a friend to many and was widely known and loved. He started his business career as a Sales Trainee at American Seating Company in 1958 and worked there for 42 years, retiring as one of its owners. His customers loved doing business with Al as he was an honest man who lived up to his commitments and always found a way to forge lifelong relationships with many of the people he worked with and sold to. His journey started in California, where he lived for about 7 years before moving to the Chicago area and finally Grand Rapids where the company was based, and he lived in the same house in Cascade for over 55 years. The early years in Grand Rapids were also filled with much activity and friendship. The Meyer family shares a fire pit with our neighbors, the Boshovens, and he spent most weekends out there when the weather was at least decent. Firepits meant great cookouts, camaraderie, and sing-a longs. Al always loved to get out his guitar or ukulele and play for hours singing songs and telling stories. As the night would go on, he might get a bit out of tune or forget a lyric but would strum away and sing to his heart’s content and our enjoyment. When it was time for limericks, hang on to your hat because he had many. His love for music came from his family who owned Meyer Music House, so he was around music and musicians all the time. His daughter Susan is an accomplished French Horn player, and he was very involved with her music and supporting her Symphonic Band that she is such a big part of.  When Susan was not tooting on her horn, she spent most of her time the last few years committed to her dad in making sure he got to all the doctor appointments and his dialysis treatments 3 days a week. She always made sure that her dad was well cared for, and all his needs were met and kept him laughing throughout.

He was an outdoorsman and spent much time at his cabin in Northern Michigan which he owned since the early 1980’s.  His son Steve spent much time with him there either fishing, riding snowmobiles or telling tall tales over a cocktail. Steve also was the lucky recipient of his dad’s OTP list, which meant On the Program, or commonly called a chore list. He teased Steve all the time about how long the OTP list was getting! He also loved the Florida Keys spending many winters there with family and friends. He was well known at “the bench” as they called it at the local marina where he met his friends every morning for coffee. When he was in town you could find him at Pal’s Diner in Cascade where he would meet with his friends for coffee and conversation. He enjoyed golf, travel, a good olive burger and storytelling (he was the best!), but most of all just hanging out with family and friends. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan and one of their biggest fans. During football season, you would find him in front of the TV with Janet, her daughter Barbara, and friend Ann Kassouni. They would talk about Michigan football for hours and enthusiastically watch every game. When he wasn’t watching football, you could find him at the card table playing cards with Janet during Happy Hour.

As part of his life decisions, Al chose cremation, and a private ceremony has taken place. A Celebration of Life to honor him is being planned for some time in the spring. Memorial contributions in Al’s honor may be made to the organization or charity of your choice.