NORWICH – Howard Jones Meyer, M.D. passed away on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth (Essentia), Minn.
He was born in Norwich on April 28, 1925, son of Mary and Anthony Meyer. Graduating from Norwich HS in May 1943 he joined the U.S. Army that September. His Ozark Infantry Division served in the European conflict until the end of World War II in Germany – he was in Bavaria in 1945 and was part of the occupation forces after the German surrender.
After WWII, Howard attended U. of Rochester for his undergraduate degree, also receiving his M.D. degree from their Medical School in 1954. His goal since a childhood illness was to be a surgeon. He interned and had residencies at the U. of North Carolina, N.C. and Syracuse University in Surgery, also being the Chief Resident in Surgery at Syracuse. Howard moved to Duluth in 1960, passing his Surgical Boards in Rochester, Minn. that winter. He was the Surgeon and a general practice doctor at the West Duluth Clinic for 30 years; completing his last practicing years as part of the Duluth Clinic-West, retiring in 1991. Howard loved the practice of medicine and helping the many patients and families that he served. He belonged to Rotary Club #85, Grand Association Investment Club, U. for Seniors at UMD, ROMEO and some other discussion groups. He enjoyed sailing, traveling with the Friendship Force and participating in Rotary Club activities with special projects (Peru Clinic). Howard was always an enthusiastic student, especially enjoying the interaction with UMD students at “Socrates’ Table.”
Howard is survived by wife Susan and six children: Howard Meyer, Jr., Joanna (Kurt) LaBresh, Jennifer Miller, Deborah (Leslie Plettner) Meyer, Sarah (Bill Benson) Meyer, Stephen (Anne) Meyer; step-children, Garth (Karen) Allison, Lisa (Mark) Abeles-Allison and Robin Allison. There are seventeen grandchildren and three great-grandsons and his sister Barbara Higley.
At Howard’s request, a private family service will be held. Memorials may be directed to U. Srs. Foundation 115 KSC, 1120 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN 55812. Bell Brothers Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home Duluth, MN 722-5131.