Darwyn E. ‘Dar’ Meyer

Darwyn E. “Dar” Meyer, 80, who was born Oct. 2, 1938 to Ruth and Harold Meyer in Charles City, Iowa died Feb. 18, 2019 in Chico, California where he resided most of his adult life. He died very peacefully after a long bout with dementia with his partner and care-giver, Dora Burke, at his bedside holding his hand. Dar never lost his love for Charles City and Iowa. He graduated in the CCHS class of 1957 and from Wartburg in 1961. He was a very popular classmate in school and college who remained in contact with classmates and friends through out his adult life. Dar loved to attend his high school and college class reunions. He proudly liked to announce he was born and educated in “America’s Home Town”. He later earned a Masters degree at Chico State.

Dar married Wanda shorty after completing his military commitment and returned to the area near where Wanda was from in Northern California to live. They were the parents of two daughters, Anne and Allison. Wanda is deceased. Dar married Sue and divorced. Dora Burke has been Dar’s partner and care-giver the past 14 years. He lived for the last 3 years in the Amber Grove Memory Care Home in Chico where he received loving care by the staff and Dora.

I along with Lyle Bauer was life-long friends of Dar’s. We lived within a block of each other in Charles City and walked together to Washington Grade School and the High School until we graduated together in the CCHS 1957 class. Dar and I even roomed together at Wartburg one year. Since Lyle and I have known Darwyn all our lives, we were asked by his only sibling, sister Betty Drew of Decorah, Iowa, and Dar’s partner, Dora to announce Dar’s passing in the Press. Betty’s husband, Richard Drew, died at an early age. Betty raised their six children( Dar’s nieces Debbie,Cathy, Denise and nephews Greg,David, Scott) as a single mom in Decorah.

Dar was born with a smile on his face. He loved to tell jokes to anyone he might meet and regardless that the jokes might seem a bit “corny”. My description of Dar was that he always had the Wall Street Journal under one arm and a travel book under the other arm, his golf clubs on his back and holding a fishing pole. He still found time to be a member of the Elk’s and Rotary Clubs, a Boy Scout leader, active in his church and charity causes, playing golf with his buddies at the Country Club, active in a RV Club and fishing in Alaska or diving for Abalone off the coast of California. He loved to trail hike in the mountains of Northern California as a Boy Scout leader. Dar was himself an Eagle Scout. He travelled to all corners of the World. Oh yes, he was a very successful Stock Broker and Financial Advisor in Chico.

Needless to say Dar led a very active life until dementia took it’s toll. He was a loyal friend and fun to be around. Prior to Dar’s illness, for many years classmates Mike Jermier and his wife Donna, Dar and Dora and my wife Liana and I would rendezvous in San Antonio, Texas at the home of classmates Ray and Sue Pratt to enjoy each others company by playing golf, sharing jokes and memories and playing Mexican Train. Precious moments as I look back.

Dar’s interment is in the Lutheran Church in Chico with a Celebration of his life March 22 in Chico. “WOW!” was Dar’s favorite expression. A big “WOW” to you Dar and your well lived life.

Your Buddies, Gordon Peterson. and Lyle Bauer. RIP, Dar.