Lasting Memories

Michael Mansfield Meyer
Aug. 19, 1947-Jan. 10, 2015
Menlo Park, California

Michael Mansfield Meyer, 67, died on January 10th in Menlo Park, California. (Photo is of Michael Meyer with his granddaughter, Sarah Meyer of Menlo Park.)

Michael was born in Brawley, California, the son of Eloise Grace Latham and Richard Vincent Meyer.

He grew up on military bases around the country. At age 17, he joined the Navy and served in the Vietnam War. He studied Goju Ryu intensively while stationed in Okinawa. Michael struggled for much of his life with the physical and emotional effects of growing up in the military and being a combat veteran.

After he returned from the war, he volunteered for the Robert F. Kennedy Presidential campaign. In 1969, he married Velia Dolores Escobar. They raised three sons together, and were married for 28 years, until they divorced.

Mike was a pioneer in electronics. In the 1970s, he invented, and patented, one of the first commercially viable wireless alarm systems. Based on that invention, he owned and operated an alarm company for a decade.

After some very difficult years, Mike changed course and began studying nursing at Gavilan Community College. He became a Registered Nurse in 1992 and worked as a bedside nurse for over 10 years, until he retired due to disability.

He loved nursing, particularly saving lives, psychiatric nursing and teaching CPR and First Aid to first responders.

Mike was also a champion poker player, winning the Bay Area Open in 2001. He was an excellent pool player, loved rock-n-roll and cars, and was known for having a green thumb and a sweet tooth.

Michael?s life was full of tension. He lived haunted by his experiences and memories of war and violence. At the same time, he loved big with a huge heart and deeply longed for connection. Mike dreamt of a better world and wanted to help make that world possible.

His efforts were sometimes effective, sometimes not and sometimes had the opposite effect, but his dream for a better world remained.

No matter how hard things got for Mike, he tried to help others who he could see were struggling and could use his help. In a world that sends boys and men to war, ruins their lives and then forgets about them, Mike understood what it was like to be damaged and forgotten, and fiercely believed that no one deserved to be ruined or forgotten. While he made many mistakes as a parent, he truly and profoundly enjoyed and loved his sons and grandchildren without condition or reservation.

He is survived by his sisters, Teri Carter and Lani McCaskey; sons, Michael David Meyer, Eric Meyer Escobar and John Latham Meyer; and four grandchildren.

From Sean McCaskey
Jan. 20, 2016

I cant believe its been over a year . Its been a year on Jan 10th. This photo was taken at our local Mexican restaurant when Uncle Mike came down for a visit . I'm looking for the photo with the Sombrero ... Love and miss you!! Happy Times. Memories last forever