Jerry "Who" Meyer

I would like to note that we all lost a good friend at this years Nats, Jerry "Who" Meyer. He died of a massive heart attach last Monday (July 7) after finishing his last race.

Jerry's main love was control line racing. I believe he was a past president of the NCLR SIG (others can pipe in to add information). He also flew Stunt and RC. He was a member of the TreeTown Modelaires club, the Fermilab Barnstormers, and Fox Valley RC club, all here in the Chicago Suburbs. Due to Jerry and his Foxy Hazel CL race, which he held at the Fermilab Barnstormer's field every October, he almost single handed has converted the Fermilab Barnstormers from an all-RC club into a multi-purpose CL and RC club (he can be blamed for converting me anyway!).

Other's know the "Who" story better than I, but I have good naturedly kidded Jerry occasionally on this forum, refering to some of his escapades as " I can't say "Who" crashed at the last xxxx contest last week...". Jerry was a perennial Intermediate Stunt Flyer. He was awarded the Sportsmanship Trophy 3 weeks ago at the Sig CL contest in Montezuma Iowa. Fred Krueger has posted a photo of Jerry accepting that award from Hazel on the Sig CL Contest thread.

No matter how much we kidded Jerry, he was able to keep his good humor, and for this we will really miss him.

Jerry, I hear that they offer some excellent soldering classes up there -make sure your take one!

Let me add that Jerry exemplified the meaning of 'Sportsmanship'. He loved to compete. He never blamed anyone else for a loss. Win or lose, he always enjoyed himself, and his good nature helped others have a good time. We will miss him.

Thanks to Buzz Paricka for the attached photo.

Fred Krueger

Iam truly saddened to hear this. Although I havent been flying much these last few years I ran into him often and it was fun to chew the fat with him. He was one of the nicest guys I know and a true competetor.

God Speed to you Jerry "Who" I Miss you allready!

It just won't be the same with out Jerry, He was one of the good guys. He rarely miss a contest and could always be counted on to give someone a (good natured) hard time. From putting up a test flight after you call a pilots meeting, to telling you its time to move up after you just won your first contest...I'll miss him.

What was the story behind the specially printed fuel jugs at the SIG contest some years back?

I believe you are referring to the 'WHO Brew' labeled fuel. I believe that Mike Gretz and possibly Mike Pratt were responsible for that. I don't want to mess up a story, so perhaps one of them can fill you in.

I had just met Jerry at Sig this year--competed with him in intermediate there.

When I saw him again on Saturday evening at the Nats, it was like we had known each other for twenty years. I guess that was Jerry. It is a sad day, but it was clear to all around him that he truly loved being a part of these enjoyable pursuits. He will be missed alot.

I too will miss Jerry “Who”. He was not only a good friend he was a great modeler and competitor. Jerry was the brunt of many of our jokes and he took them in the fun manner they were intended. The “Who Brew” was a classic. This idea came to Gretz and I before one of the Sig Contests and we thought it would be a fun thing to pull on old Jerry. We had a label printed for a one gallon fuel jug that said “Who Brew” along with other verbiage (I don’t remember exactly what at this time) but it was enjoyed by all at the contest.

Another joke we pulled on Jerry was when he attended the Sig R/C contest. He entered the contest with a Four Star Forty and did a pretty good job of flying in the contest. As an award Gretz and I presented him a trophy that was made from an old transmitter case with control line handles glued to the top of the transmitter sticks. We told Jerry that with this stick arrangement, his flight scores would have been much higher. We also called him a “Turn Coat” for attending the R/C contest and being a trader. This was all in fun of course and he enjoyed every minute of it.

Jerry was also well on his way to becoming a C/L stunt pilot. After a few years of trying he won P.A.M.P.A. Beginner at the Sig contest and was moved up to P.A.M.P.A. Intermediate. His skill was improving and he was becoming a force to be reckoned with in Intermediate Class.

My condolences to his family and wife Phyllis.

I've flown with Gerry for over 30 years. I traveled with him to many contests all over this country. It's not often I am close to crying at a wake, but this one was tough. Who Brew came about because Gerry purchased some Ritch's Brew at Toledo and of course someone came up to Gerry at the Sig Booth and said "Gerry, your fuel is ready to be picked up..." Mike & Mike took it from there...

If I remember correctly, it was Gary Oakins, a Minnesota Speed flyer, who caught Gerry flying R/C at the Sig contest and called him a "Turncoat". Mike & Mike took it from there...

This year Gerry got some revenge with me. I felt him chuckling when I stuffed my Magnum earlier. Nothing nasty here, just that I was due. At the Sig contest Saturday night, I stumbled and totally destroyed a cheap lawn chair. Gerry didn't miss a beat. Sunday morning he got the Marketing guy at Sig to ask if anyone knew anything about who destroyed this chair...

At the Peoria contest a couple of years ago, Gerry showed up without any rain gear. We had rain that day, but not too much to cancel the contest. At least not until he flew. He was the last flyer and took off in Intermediate. About 1 minute into the flight the clouds opened up and it really poured. Buckets of water were coming down and he continued flying. Russ and Randi Gifford were his judges and they were getting soaked. When he landed at the end of the pattern, he had two red streaks on his tee shirt. They came from his red Sig Hat, which couldn't stand that much water. We laughed so hard that we almost cried...

Contests won't be the same without Gerry.

Bill

LAST EDITED ON Jul-15-03 AT 09:12 PM (CDT)
 
Gerry's obituary in the Sunday July 13 Chicago Tribune is titled "Model plane fan drawn to contests" I don't know if it is available online. It is well done and a fitting tribute.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/obits/bnobt0710.htm
I was unable to connect to the Trib's obit online, but this is the same one from his local newsletter.
Bill

"Contests won't be the same without Gerry."

You said it all there Bill.
We're going to miss him a lot.
Mike Gretz