Donald R. Meyer
January 13, 2007

Donald R. Meyer, age 80, well known Quincy architect, formerly of 2055 Maine, died Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 4:15 a.m. at Sunset Home.

Mr. Meyer was a lifelong Quincy resident who was born on January 21, 1926 to Robert F. (Bob) and Alice Wulfmeyer Meyer in Quincy. His father was the proprietor of Bob Meyer Garage on South 10th St. Don grew up at 2232 Jefferson and early on became fascinated with railroads and modeling of them. Don, also a trumpet player, was in many classes, bands and orchestras with who would be his future wife Elizabeth Ann Harland.

After graduating from Quincy High School in 1943, Don enlisted in the Army. After basic training he served in the 839th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. In Germany, he was in the 9th Armored Division of the First Army. Among other actions, he participated in the fight for the Ludendorf Bridge at Remagen, and the Battle of the Ruhr pocket.

After the war, Don attended the University of Illinois and completed a degree in Architectural Engineering. In 1948, he and Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Harland were married August 11, 1948 in Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ. Betty's father also was in the auto repair business as owner of Harland Oil Company at what is now Lubbert's Garage on South 8th Street. In 1950, Don began his career as an architect with the firm of Behrensmeyer & Horn. That firm and the following firms that would include Don as a partner - Frank Horn and Associates, Horn-Meyer-Peter, and Meyer-Peter and Company, had a major impact on the design of commercial and public structures constructed in Central Illinois and Missouri during Meyer's 40 year career. Examples of his firm's work here in Quincy include First Union Congregational Church, what now is the Baldwin Middle School, and the current Quincy High School, as well as the YMCA.

Don became an expert model railroader, building two significant HO layouts as a part of his hobby. The second of these layouts, started in the early 1960's, is still in existence with Rev. Hank Murray. Don was also an avid participating member of the Quincy Society of Model Engineers (the Good Samaritan Home model railroad layout), almost up to the time of his death. He was a member of the First Union Congregational church and a former member of the Quincy Rotary Club. Another of Don's great loves was playing trumpet. He had been a long time member of the Quincy Community Band as well as the Summer Park Band under the direction of Carl Landrum.

In 1992, Don experienced a devastating stroke, but he enjoyed his last 15 years thanks to the Blessing Hospital rehabilitation unit, the very special staff at Sunset Home and the commitment of many, including two very special friends - George Effrein and Terry Wensing.

Remaining are two families of which he was very proud - his daughter Diane Rotramel, her husband John, and their two children Paul and Julie living in Lexington, Ky; and his son David R. Meyer, his wife Mary, residing in Chesterfield, MO; first cousins, Laverna Stewart and Betty Rottman Schuette, both of Quincy; his aunt Dorothy Luthin of Springfield, IL, and a number of nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his life long love, Betty on May 16, 1985.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10 am in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Rev. Hank Murray and the Rev. R. Van McCullough officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in memory of Mr. Meyer to Sunset Home or the Quincy Society of Model Engineers.

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