Frederick Richard Meier

Fred R. Meier, a pioneering advocate of computer technology, passed away Thursday, November 11th, 2010 in Mountain View. Proud to be a native Californian, Fred was born in Petaluma and resided in Sunnyvale. He is a direct descendant of Nancy Graves, a survivor of the Donner Party. Fred graduated from St. Vincent High School in Petaluma with the Class of '52. He is an alumnus of the University of San Francisco, where he received an academic/ football scholarship. During college, he met the love of his life, Claudette Cauhape, a graduate of Lone Mountain College. Through 52 years, they shared marriage, family, work and many beautiful memories. Fred was the devoted patriarch of his extended family, leaving his wife and four children, Jeanne (Chris) Leonard, Susan Meier, Julie (Ted Weiswasser) Leonhard and Stephen (Jane Sun) Meier; as well as two grandchildren, Julian and Lauren. Surviving sisters Donna Diehl, Janet (Kelly) Nimtz, and Kathy (Jim) Olson, have expanded his family to eight nephews and nieces and 14 grand-nephews and nieces. He is following his predeceased granddaughter, Jillian, and his newly departed brother-in-law, Bob Diehl, to heaven. Fred began his 30 year career working for the Burroughs Corporation in 1956 as a sales representative and successfully sold early computer models to banking and government institutions. His career advanced through positions in sales and product management, until ultimately he became group president in 1981. His last position as Vice President of Imaging Systems led to the automation of check imaging throughout the world. Fred had a strong vision about the future of computing in which the convergence of data, computation and communication would lead to the smart phones we utilize today. He was a strong champion for open computer standards and interoperability. Fred served on the National Advisory Committee of the University of Michigan's School of Engineering and on the Executive Committee of the board of directors of the Corporation for Open Systems. He was a member of the Advisory Council of USF's McLaren College of Business and the Economic Club of Detroit. Being active was important to Fred and he pursued many interests. From fishing to golfing, gardening, traveling around the world, walking his dog Molly, and cooking holiday feasts, he shared these interests, especially University of Michigan football, with a great number of family and friends. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at LIMA & CAMPAGNA SUNNYVALE MORTUARY, 1315 Hollenbeck Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. A Graveside Service will be held in the Donner Party Family site at Sebastopol Memorial Lawn Cemetery on Monday, November 22nd at 11:00 a.m. Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or a charity of choice.