Paul H. Meier, loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on March 27, 2021, at his home in St. Louis, comforted in his final moments by close family members.
Paul, 68, was born January 9, 1953 to Darwin and Edna (Talleur) Meier of Troy, IL, and was baptized on Feb. 7, 1953 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. On December 18, 1994, he married Nancy L. Meyer of St. Louis MO; she survives.
He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Grade School and was a 1971 graduate of Triad High School. Paul was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, and received a Master’s of Science in Mathematics from the University of Idaho. He was a math professor at Columbia Basin Junior College in Pasco, WA for 32 years, retiring in 2013.
Paul was a stand-out athlete at Triad High School. Following an outstanding senior season on the cross-country circuit, he was named a recipient of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete Award.
His passion for running and the outdoors fueled his lifelong love of adventure. Paul was an avid climber and on 14 climbs successfully reached the summit of Mt. Rainier, which at more than 14,400 feet stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. He also had successful climbs at numerous other locations throughout the United States, Switzerland and South America. He participated in five Half Ironmans and numerous other Olympic-style triathlons.
When he was not competing, Paul enjoyed cycling on the Madison County Transit trails with family and friends from Troy, hiking in National and State Parks throughout the country, cross-country skiing, gardening and reading. He was a longtime member of the Inter-Mountain Alpine club which promotes and encourages the enjoyment of the outdoors which led to many more experiences.
Every summer, and occasionally in the winter, Paul and Nancy graciously hosted a wide-range of family members at their Washington home where the family enjoyed sight-seeing, extensive hikes and snow skiing.
In addition to his wife, Nancy, Paul is survived by his mother, Edna; brother Glenn Meier of St. Jacob, IL; sisters Yvonne Rieger of Troy, IL and Carol (Mick) Markway of Kirkwood, MO; and sisters-in-laws Pam (Paul) Gabris of St. Louis; Cindy Strathmann of Columbia IL. He is also survived by nephews Ben Markway of St. Louis; Charlie (Stacy) Winkler of Glendale, MO; and Nick (Brittney) Gabris of Ballwin, MO; nieces Maggie (Ashton) Pickering of O’Fallon MO and Morgan Strathmann of Columbia IL; one great-niece Hailey Gabris; and two pending arrivals!
Paul was preceded in death by his father, Darwin; father- and mother-in-law Hank and Dorothy Meyer; brother-in-law Dave Rieger; and nephew Glenn Markway.
At his request, his body was donated to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. There will be no visitation or service.
Kutis Affton Chapel in St. Louis is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials can be made to Friends of Badger Mountain at friendsofbadger.org in Richland WA, or the Tri-Township Park in Troy. Checks can be mailed to 410 Wickliffe, Troy IL 62294 indicating Paul Meier memorial fund.
Nancy, we are so sorry for your loss! I know he was a wonderful man who will be missed by all of you.
Nancy, we are so sorry for your loss! I know he was a wonderful man who will be missed by all of you.
Nancy: We are so sad to hear that Paul has passed away. He was such a wonderful, kind, and gentle person, who lived life to the fullest. What an inspiration he was to all of us who knew him! We were fortunate to have been on many trips with him with IMAC, and we always enjoyed his company. We offer our sincere condolences and we wish you peace. Take care.
Roger and Claudette
Nancy: We are so sad to hear that Paul has passed away. He was such a wonderful, kind, and gentle person, who lived life to the fullest. What an inspiration he was to all of us who knew him! We were fortunate to have been on many trips with him with IMAC, and we always enjoyed his company. We offer our sincere condolences and we wish you peace. Take care.
Roger and Claudette
Nancy: Mike and I are so very sorry for your loss. Paul was a wonderful colleague, mentor and friend. He did so much to improve the math department at Columbia Basin College and his literally thousands of students benefited from having an excellent instructor known for his high standards. He always pulled more than his share of the load. I can’t think of him without remembering that dry wit and excellent sense of humor. The world, indeed, lost one of the good ones.
Thinking of you, praying that you find peace, and sending you big hugs.
Nancy: Mike and I are so very sorry for your loss. Paul was a wonderful colleague, mentor and friend. He did so much to improve the math department at Columbia Basin College and his literally thousands of students benefited from having an excellent instructor known for his high standards. He always pulled more than his share of the load. I can’t think of him without remembering that dry wit and excellent sense of humor. The world, indeed, lost one of the good ones.
Thinking of you, praying that you find peace, and sending you big hugs.
We miss having Paul here at CBC, and are so sorry that he has passed on. He was one of the pillars of our department, having served in just about every capacity, some multiple times. He was a great scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend to so many. I wish you the best, Nancy, as you carry on without him. Take care. Meg Bartrand
We miss having Paul here at CBC, and are so sorry that he has passed on. He was one of the pillars of our department, having served in just about every capacity, some multiple times. He was a great scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend to so many. I wish you the best, Nancy, as you carry on without him. Take care. Meg Bartrand
We will all miss the succinct and wry comments. Trying to keep up with him on any trip: hiking trail, snow or scrambling up rocks. With all the trips he lead and participated in there were great stories. One about the water bottle that dropped off the ridge going up mt stuart in Washington and then moments later rose back up again before disappearing. Then too a planned trip to climb mt hood needed new direction. Paul was leader and asked if the four of us signed up would not rather go to old snowy in the central cascades instead of going to hood with predicted winds over 20 mph and 18-24 inches of snow. Decent of him to give us the option. We took it. George Hunt
We will all miss the succinct and wry comments. Trying to keep up with him on any trip: hiking trail, snow or scrambling up rocks. With all the trips he lead and participated in there were great stories. One about the water bottle that dropped off the ridge going up mt stuart in Washington and then moments later rose back up again before disappearing. Then too a planned trip to climb mt hood needed new direction. Paul was leader and asked if the four of us signed up would not rather go to old snowy in the central cascades instead of going to hood with predicted winds over 20 mph and 18-24 inches of snow. Decent of him to give us the option. We took it. George Hunt
So sorry to learn of this. Paul was so strong, and willing to share his love of the outdoors. I have fond memories of Paul leading a xc ski trip to Middle Ridge in the Blues. What a workout! We carved turns down open glades and pushed up innumerable hills to the lookout on Middle Ridge, where we paused for lunch and camaraderie. I was exhausted by the time we had returned to our cars, but felt the satisfaction that only invigorating exercise can provide.
So sorry to learn of this. Paul was so strong, and willing to share his love of the outdoors. I have fond memories of Paul leading a xc ski trip to Middle Ridge in the Blues. What a workout! We carved turns down open glades and pushed up innumerable hills to the lookout on Middle Ridge, where we paused for lunch and camaraderie. I was exhausted by the time we had returned to our cars, but felt the satisfaction that only invigorating exercise can provide.
Lots of fond memories when Paul comes to mind. He was a real contributor to CBC’s math department, one of the best.. As an outstanding track athlete it was no surprise to see him involved as a volunteer at the Pasco Invite and state x c meet. His gardening prowess was evident when he would bring some of his produce to the faculty lounge which disappeared in a hurry. (The early w w sweets were great!)
Our condolences to Nancy and family.
Lots of fond memories when Paul comes to mind. He was a real contributor to CBC’s math department, one of the best.. As an outstanding track athlete it was no surprise to see him involved as a volunteer at the Pasco Invite and state x c meet. His gardening prowess was evident when he would bring some of his produce to the faculty lounge which disappeared in a hurry. (The early w w sweets were great!)
Our condolences to Nancy and family.
Lots of fond memories when Paul comes to mind. Thoughts of his contributions to the math department, his involvement in the Pasco Invite, state x c meet or his productive garden. (I was particularly fond of the early w w sweets)
Paul was a quality individual who will be missed.
Our condolences to Nancy and his family.
Lots of fond memories when Paul comes to mind. Thoughts of his contributions to the math department, his involvement in the Pasco Invite, state x c meet or his productive garden. (I was particularly fond of the early w w sweets)
Paul was a quality individual who will be missed.
Our condolences to Nancy and his family.
Nancy and Family, Laura and I are sorry for your loss. I have so many great memories hiking, climbing and skiing with Paul. He was always such a great outdoorsman and companion. The world was a better place with him in it.
Condolences, Dan and Laura Hansen
Nancy and Family, Laura and I are sorry for your loss. I have so many great memories hiking, climbing and skiing with Paul. He was always such a great outdoorsman and companion. The world was a better place with him in it.
Condolences, Dan and Laura Hansen
Nancy I am so sorry for your loss. Paul was a wonderful man so thoughtful and kind. I was honored to work with Paul at Columbia Basin College. He always spoke so kindly of his family. Prayers and going up for you and your family as you go through your loss.
Nancy I am so sorry for your loss. Paul was a wonderful man so thoughtful and kind. I was honored to work with Paul at Columbia Basin College. He always spoke so kindly of his family. Prayers and going up for you and your family as you go through your loss.
Paul was my algebra instructor my first year at CBC. Algebra and I were never friends but I do remember Paul being kind and ever so patient. It was nice to reconnect with him later in life through triathlon and 3RRR. Rest in peace Paul.
Paul was my algebra instructor my first year at CBC. Algebra and I were never friends but I do remember Paul being kind and ever so patient. It was nice to reconnect with him later in life through triathlon and 3RRR. Rest in peace Paul.
Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear about Paul. I will miss him. I have many good memories of working with him at Columbia Basin College. Thanks for letting me know what happened.
Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear about Paul. I will miss him. I have many good memories of working with him at Columbia Basin College. Thanks for letting me know what happened.