Richard John Meyers, 71, died at Careage of Whidbey on August 24, 2005. He was born March 4, 1934 in Iowa to Truman and Catherine Meyers. Richard was raised on an Iowa farm.

Richard traveled to Los Angeles, where he met and married Elizabeth. He adopted daughter Anne and together he and Elizabeth had five more children. Richard completed 27 years of active duty with the U.S. Navy and retired as a YNC (E-7). His years since retirement have been spent in the San Diego area. He very much enjoyed reunions with the various ships’ companies he had been assigned to, but his favorite was the USS Horn, an LST.

Following his military career, Richard returned to college and received his Liberal Arts Degree from San Diego State College. He was a schoolteacher for a short time and then began a second career with the State of California as an Eligibility Technician.

Richard was an avid sports fan, watching any event possible. He was also an active participant, serving as an umpire for baseball, both in the San Diego community for many years and in the military community and was a member of the California Umpires Association and the Military Umpires Association. He was an avid reader, known to complete a large novel in one day. He enjoyed movies and held season passes to the San Diego Zoo for many years. Richard also held season tickets to the Aztecs football and basketball events. He was a loving father and husband.

Richard is survived by his wife Elizabeth Meyers of San Diego, and by six children: Anne Meyers, Joseph Meyers, Richard Meyers and Michael Meyers, all of San Diego, Mary Hewitt (Ron) of Oak Harbor, and Rita Otriz (Edwin) of Yuma, Az. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Jennifer Vargas of San Diego, Lucas Meyers of Marysville, Wash., Lewis Meyers of San Diego, Naomi Hewitt of Oak Harbor, Carlina and Alyssa Ortiz, both of Yuma; and two great grandchildren, Samuel and Esela Vargas of San Diego.

A remembrance will be held for Mr. Meyers on Monday. Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. at the home of Mary and Ronald Hewitt, 1988 Karen Road, Oak Harbor.