Gary Rodney Meyer

Gary Rodney Meyer, age 78, of Longville, MN passed away at home on September 11, 2023. Gary was born on September 17, 1944 in Douglas, AZ to Anna Marie and Rodney J. Meyer.

As an Air Force brat, Gary lived around the world including Germany, Japan, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, California and Michigan. After graduating high school from Oscoda, MI, he enlisted in the Air Force and served in Vietnam in the Jolly Green Air Rescue unit rescuing downed pilots from behind enemy lines. Gary is a Purple Heart recipient, and received the Helicopter Rescue award “Winged S” Air Rescue Emblem, Air Medal, Distinguished flying Cross/3 Oak Leaf Clusters. After discharge A1C, Gary returned to California attended Northrop Institute of Technology graduating with an Airframe and Power Plant Maintenance certification and went to work for Hughes Aircraft Corporation in Culver City, CA. During this time, he met and married Susan Peno in June 1969 and moved to Westchester, CA. Gary’s job took them to Albuquerque, NM; Phoenix, AZ; Republic Airlines in St. Paul, MN; Federal Express in Memphis, TN and St. Paul, MN where he was a District Manager for Federal Express Aircraft Maintenance.

Gary retired in December, 2000 and moved to Longville, MN where he became active in the Snowmobile Club grooming trails and was part of the team contracting the building of the snowmobile club building; collected water samples from Girl Lake for the Child, Girl, Woman Lakes Area Association and was a DNR loon watch reporter on Girl Lake; and served 6 years on the Longville Planning Commission. Gary enjoyed the outdoors; camping, hunting, fishing, bird watching and snowmobiling. He enjoyed driving his RV to many events, club outings and wintering in various places in Arizona and Texas. And enjoyed traveling to Italy, Ireland and taking Sue to his old stomping grounds in Germany and cruising to Alaska and the Baltic. 

Gary was a very devoted family man and is survived by his wife Susan of 54 years, brothers Paul (Leyen) of Kilauea, HI and Christopher of San Antonio, TX, sister Lisa (Rick) of Pecos, NM; nieces Leianah Kahahawai, Naomi Correa and Katlin Drude; great nephews Ian Correa, Issac Correa and Isaiah Kahahawai.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother Anna Marie Meyer, father Captain Rodney J. Meyer USAF Ret., sister Gail Gaines and nephew Geoffrey Gaines.

A private family memorial is planned.

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