Ernest L. "Bud" Meyer

Ernest L. "Bud" Meyer, 86, died at home on Saturday, December 22, 2001. He was born in Olympia, Wash. on May 8, 1915 to Ernest L. and Agnes (O'Leary) Meyer.He attended the old McLane School and Providence Academy (now known as St. Michael's School). He was graduated from Olympia High in 1932. From 1932 to 1934, he worked in the Black Hills for the Mud Bay Logging Co. He attended the University of Washington, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and Economics degree in 1938 and a Bachelor of Law degree in 1940. In 1940, he joined the law practice of his uncle, Thomas L. O'Leary, in Olympia. In 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served 4 years having achieved the rank of Captain. He was stationed in England then in Germany where he assisted with preparations for the Nuremberg Trials. He returned home to Olympia in 1946 and resumed his private law practice.While maintaining his private practice, Mr. Meyer served as the city attorney for the City of Olympia from 1960-1978. From 1957 until 1997, he served on the Board of Directors for the Olympia Federal Savings and Loan Association. In 1995, he was awarded the Daniel Bigelow Lawyer of the Year from the Thurston County Bar Association. He was the last surviving original member of the Providence St. Peter's Hospital Community Board and continued to serve on the Board until 1996. He was a member of the Olympia Rotary Club more than 35 years. He was president of the Rotary Club in 1958-1959. He was also a member of the American Legion.Mr. Meyer was a strong supporter of St. Martin's College. In 1991, the College awarded him the President's Medal for his more than 20 years of service.He married Barbara Kerbaugh on September 6, 1943. Together they raised nine boys, four of whom followed him into the practice of law.Mr. Meyer enjoyed and loved his large family. He was a dedicated fan of the University of Washington Husky football team. He was a member of the Tyee Club. From the late 1940s until the late 1990s, he rarely missed a home game. He enjoyed playing cards. For more than fifty years until a month ago, he was a regular at the Monday night sessions of the "longest running poker game in Olympia." He was a voracious reader. He especially enjoyed history and biographies. There was no crossword puzzle that he could not complete.He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his nine children: John of Danville, Wash., Stephen of Hiram, OH; Edward of Montgomery, Ala.; Thomas, Paul, James, Martin, Samuel, and Charles, all of Olympia, Wash.; numerous grandchildren; his brother, James P. Meyer of Seattle, Wash.; and his niece, Jill Frierson of Kaneohe Bay, HI.A vigil will be held at Olympic Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Rd. SW in Tumwater, Wash, on Friday, December 28, 2001 at 7:00pm. A Funeral Mass followed by a reception will be celebrated at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Saturday, December 29, 2001 at 10am. Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to the Providence St. Peter's Hospital Foundation or St. Martins College.