SIGNIFICANT SIG FRED MEYER '46
"An extraordinarily gifted man who tirelessly shared his talents, time, and passion."
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Fred Meyer was from in Fair Haven, Michigan, a small town northeast of Detroit and on the north shore of Lake St. Clair. He attended Michigan State during the period of World War II where he was a three sport athlete competing in football, baseball, and track (see special section below). He was an early member of our Gamma Psi of Sigma Chi fraternity and member of Phi Kappa Delta Forensic Honorary
After graduation from college, Fred entered the cemetery business. From 1953 until 2004, he was the owner and developer of a number of cemeteries and funeral homes throughout the Midwest and South, with corporate office located in Indianapolis, Indiana. |
Frederic W. Meyer Jr, '46
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He was a charter member and the first President of the Pre-Arrangement Interment Association of America, Inc. He was also a past President of the Indiana Cemetery Association and the Cemetery Association of Tennessee. He was affiliated with the National Association of Cemeteries, the American Cemetery Association, the National Sales Executives and the American Institute of Management, as well as the Directors Club of Great Britain.
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He served as an advisor to Senator Vance Hartke and the Veterans' Affairs Committee of the United States Senate. While serving on this committee, Mr. Meyer traveled throughout the world visiting National Cemeteries providing his expert knowledge on maintaining the highest standards for our Veterans' final resting places.
He was a past Chairman and Trustee Emeritus of the Morris Animal Foundation, working tirelessly to improve the health and well being of companion animals and wildlife. |
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Fred also enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, and showing his beloved Great Dane dogs. He was a member of Meridian Hills Country Club and a past member of Woodland Country Club and Ocean Reef Club of Key Largo, Florida.
He bestowed great honor on our fraternity. All Honor to His Name.
FRED MEYER WAS PART OF MSU SPORTS HISTORY
Center back row: Fred Meyer, 180 pound guard.
MSC 1943-1944 - TALES TO TELL
Contributor, Ben Phlegar, Associate Director - Football
Contributor, Ben Phlegar, Associate Director - Football
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As the nations of the world engaged in yet another year of global conflict, indications were bleak for intercollegiate sports at Michigan State.
MSC President John Hannah, on August 11, 1943, announced the suspension of all intercollegiate competition for the “duration.” In his statement he noted that with nearly all the able-bodied men of the college having left their studies to serve the armed forces, remaining talent for legitimate completion just wasn’t available. A nine-game Michigan State football schedule in 1943 was cancelled because 134 of the 135 varsity and freshmen football players expected to be in school that fall were called into active service. |
MSU College President, John Hannah, 1941-1969
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On Sept. 9, 1943, within four weeks following Hannah’s announcement to suspend inter college athletics, a five-team campus football league was formed that year with many of the 3,500 army trainees sent to Michigan State’s ROTC school participating in the league. The squads practiced 50 minutes each day as part of their regular army schedule and played double-headers each Saturday.
While no one apparently questioned the president’s interpretation of the word “duration.” His statement noted the college would resume a full varsity athletic program at that time deemed appropriate.
While no one apparently questioned the president’s interpretation of the word “duration.” His statement noted the college would resume a full varsity athletic program at that time deemed appropriate.
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The five squads included veterinary medicine students who were coached by John Kobs; the off-campus engineering students coached by Joe Holsinger; the on-campus engineering students who were coached by Gordon Dahlgreen; the ROTC team with Al Kawal as coach and the civilian team coached by Karl Schlademan.
As it turned out, John Hannah’s “duration” was not all that long-lasting. News came forth of his intentions to resume intercollegiate athletics on July 1, 1944. While approval of the plan awaited confirmation from a meeting of the faculty and eventual official announcement on April 7, baseball coach John Jobs “jumped the gun” when, on March 28, he called for all the students interested in playing baseball to sign up in the physical education office. |
Fred Meyer, #147, third from bottom.
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Athletics Director Ralph Young emphasized this would be an “informal” team. The only man Kobs could turn to with experience was Jack Breslin, and he would become the catcher. Word spread about the pending team and others indeed “signed up.” Bob Krestel, Meredith Yarling, Fred Meyer, Tom Ashley, Ed Cook, Warren Hennessy, Lee Grunst, Dana Costin, Web McDonald, Ron Reed and Jack MaCris. As the season began, others turned up: Bill Turk, Howie Workman, Jim Grant an Darrel Couey.
In addition to scheduled games with Wayne, U of D, Grosse Ice Navy, Romulus Air Base, Ft. Custer and the Detroit Coast Guard, exhibition games were also played against Rea Motors, Motor Wheel, anreven the inmates at Ionia Prison. That “informal” team of 1944 would post a record 5-4. Consequently, contrary to all previous records, Spartan baseball never really was interrupted during the self imposed intercollegiate sports shutdown of 1943-1944.
Source: Spartan Sports Encyclopedia
In addition to scheduled games with Wayne, U of D, Grosse Ice Navy, Romulus Air Base, Ft. Custer and the Detroit Coast Guard, exhibition games were also played against Rea Motors, Motor Wheel, anreven the inmates at Ionia Prison. That “informal” team of 1944 would post a record 5-4. Consequently, contrary to all previous records, Spartan baseball never really was interrupted during the self imposed intercollegiate sports shutdown of 1943-1944.
Source: Spartan Sports Encyclopedia
