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PAUL W. MEYER

FUNERAL HOME

Laurel Hill West & Laurel Hill Funeral Home

225 Belmont Avenue

Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

PAUL MEYER Obituary

MEYER PAUL W. Age 71, of Chestnut Hill, PA. Beloved husband of Debra Rodgers, was called to his eternal resting place on October 10, 2023. Paul was born in Cincinnati, OH, to Edward and Dorothy Meyer who preceded him in death. Paul was the retired Executive Director of Morris Arboretum. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother Gary Meyer (Susan); niece Katie Alimov (Davron); nephew John Meyer (Chelsea); brothers-in-law Bob Rodgers (Pattie) and Gary Rodgers (Deb) and their families and a host of other family members and friends. The Funeral Service will be private, but a Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Meyer-Rodgers Study Travel Endowment at the Morris Arboretum (http://givingpages.upenn.edu/PaulMeyer) or the Friends of Pastorius Park (https://www.friendsofpastorius.org/) where Paul was an active volunteer in retirement. www.laurelhillphl.com

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Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer from Oct. 13 to Oct. 16, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for PAUL MEYER

Sponsored by Laurel Hill West & Laurel Hill Funeral Home.

25 Entries

WILLIAM KRAMER

Planted Trees

William Kramer

October 7, 2024

Remembered him as member of Springfield Township planning Commision

Joseph Savino

December 27, 2023

Kathleen Watkins

November 17, 2023

I only learned of Mr. Meyer´s passing today. I knew him during the many years I served as a volunteer at Morris Arboretum. I was able to see firsthand his impact on the Arboretum. He nurtured it as if tending his own garden. He was a warm and generous man and treated everyone as a friend. His death is a great loss to the Philadelphia community.

Janet Roberts

October 22, 2023

Paul Meyer appears in an interview for cable tv ch 66, There and Here, now on YOU tube, in which we discuss his plant gathering trips in China. I was introduced to the botanical garden in Nanjing when I taught there in 2005-6. Paul had collaborated with the director. Paul was a passionate plantsman and wanted to share his knowledge and travels which were very inspiring to members who participated in the many special programs in which renown lecturers shared their experience ..for me the most memorable was the author of a book about the oldest trees he had encountered in his lifetime. Paul made a difference in the arboretum and in each of us who encountered his dedication, expertise, devotion and love of the Morris arboretum. There are far too many recollections to recount. His memory lives on for each of us.

Ralph Edwards

October 19, 2023

Worked with Paul back in the late 80s. I was program director of our local chapter of PLNA, as it was called then. We needed a speaker for our dinner meeting to talk about the use of perrenials in landscape design. I talked with Paul on the phone and he came up to Wilkes-Barre and gave us a very resourceful talk about the coming use of perrenials in landscaping. What a knowledgeable speaker. He got all excited about the perrenial boom which is still going on in 2023. He was a pleasure to meet with and a wonderful resource. Loved his talk about all his travels. He will be missed.

William Kramer

October 19, 2023

A great loss to the earth. WEK

Rose Koch

October 18, 2023

I worked at Morris from 2000 to 2007 maintaining the website. Paul was the first person I met when I walked in for my interview. He was always so gracious, knowledgeable, and kind. I am terribly sorry for your loss. He built such an enduring legacy.

Tony Kirkham

October 17, 2023

Paul was one the leading and Internationally renowned horticulturists and plant collectors in North America. I first met Paul when he was working at the Sir Harold Hillier Garden and Arboretum and maintained contact with him ever since. I can still remember bumping into Paul and his expedition team on a ferry bound for the island of Ullungdo, off South Korea where we spent lots of time talking Korean plants. He was fun and very generous with his time and knowledge of the plant kingdom and I always enjoyed meeting up with him. On a visit to Kew, I took him up our treetop walkway which he fell in love with and promised me that he would build one at the Morris Arboretum. He was true to his word and on my last visit to the arboretum to do a masterclass on tree pruning and a couple of lectures for the arboretum, we spent an afternoon playing on the walkway after the gardens had closed. I will always remember those fun times, plant conversations and our exchange of plant collecting stories that I had with Paul. Thank you for all that you have done for the horticultural world and plant kingdom Paul. You will always be remembered for your incredible contribution.

Ellen Nalle Hass

October 16, 2023

There was never a more perfect steward of Nature than Paul Meyer. With Debbie by his side, the Morris Arboretum became a world class organization. His fingerprints are not only on the Arboretum, they can be found in Pastorius Park, throughout Chestnut Hill and around the world. How lucky were we all to know him? Very lucky indeed! I am grateful for his friendship. Debbie, you two were a most wonderful team. I send you much love, Ellen Nalle Hass

Elizabeth PMcLean

October 16, 2023

I remember Paul when we first met - in 1980, when Bill Klein was Director of The Morris, Arboretum, and Paul was had a horticulture (and I was working on a classy electric typewriter on the second floor of Gates Hall , as a volunteer on Morris´s project, heading the first American exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show.

I watched him grow in the horticultural job (and among other good attributes) because of his positive attitudes, and is understanding of the rules of all the staff, I knew he was right to fill the job of Director when Bill Klein left.

I watched Paul grow with a job, and the Arboretum grow where it needed to with him. his deep enthusiasm for an knowledged of horticulture showed in the aesthetics and health of the Arboretum - and his garden as well. His positive personality made friends of all who were involved. Paul somehow made time for community support as well. Those of us who are lucky to have traveled with Paul enjoyed another benefit of knowing him.

I know Paul will be missed by all who knew him, and extend my deepest sympathy to Debbie and all the family.

Elizabeth P McLean

Hollister Knowlton

October 15, 2023

Dear Debbie, I am stunned and saddened and so terribly sorry for your loss of Paul. Please know I am holding you in my heart. with love,
Hollister

Barbara Cooch

October 15, 2023

Paul and Debbie have been the best of teams. Their love, talents and humor in great quantity are the legacy Paul leaves to Debbie and his many devoted friends.
Much , much love to Debbie
Barbara Cooch

Ron and Lauren B. Davis

October 14, 2023

We're so sorry to learn Paul has passed away. Far too young! We have nothing but uplifting memories of our delightful times together with Debbie and Paul. When i think of Paul i see a consistently smiling, enthusiastic, energetic, passionate, kind, thoughtful and loving person. His ability to share his passion for horticulture and inspire all of us was remarkable. Since the private tour of the arboretum Debbie and Paul gave us many years ago our appreciation for plants and trees was forever changed, and our appreciation was dramatically enhanced.
We always enjoyed seeing the photos from Debbie and Paul´s many adventurous trips and vacations, it was obvious the love they had for each other. The irises gifted to us by Paul that still grow in our garden are a true joyous explosion of beauty and color, which reflect Paul's passionate life.

Genie Esser

October 14, 2023

I have been a Volunteer Garden Educator, guide for many years at Morris Arboretum.
I have many good memories of Paul's support for the guides and his kind words when attending our Twilight and Peonies Volunteer Appreciation event. I also attended his class on the signature Big Trees of the Arboretum. I will always remember that walk about the Arboretum which conveyed his passionate love of trees and his amazing knowledge about them. May he rest in Peace.
My condolences to his wife and family.
Genie Esser

Rick Lewandowski

October 14, 2023

Our love deepest condolences go out to Debbie,
the family, and all of Paul's friends who know what a very special friend, confidant, mentor, and human being he has been. I'll remember Paul best as the person who ALWAYS encouraged and expected the best from us. There is no one who did more to transform the Morris Arboretum into a great institution than Paul. He had vision and the "charming will" to convince others of his dream to make it so. While Paul was a wonderful supervisor for 16 years at the Morris Arboretum, he was so much more to me and my family who love him so much!

I'm forever grateful to you, Paul, for allowing me to be in your circle of the universe. What a privilege. And, what a ride! Rest in peace, dear friend. Your new garden will definitely flourish!

ROBERT O. HILLS L'71

October 13, 2023

Debbie and the family have our heartfelt condolences.
Paul and Debbie organized a two week trip to the gardens of New Zealand where my wife and I began to understand what an exceptional leader he was for the arboretum. His love of plants, no matter how common or exotic was displayed every day. His relationship with the owners of the gardens we visited was an ongoing display of a man who valued the people as much as he valued his beloved plants. Penn and Morris has lost an exceptional leader. His vision and accomplishments will live long for the benefit of future generations and horticulture.

Denise Foley

October 13, 2023

I only met Mr. Meyer once but he left a lasting impression on me because of his passion for the arboretum and his generosity with sharing his knowledge. I'm so sorry we've lost him.

Dick St. Clair

October 13, 2023

Thanks, Paul, for hiring Archer to manage your "groundhog problem". He was a dutiful helper and a regular after-hours guest at the Arboretum to be sure. Your encouragement played a big role in his success.

Dick St. Clair, neighbor and restorer of the "stepping stones"

Stephen Richmond

October 13, 2023

Paul made the Arboretum worth visiting again. He added the Garden Railway and later took me on as a volunteer. I always greeted him and Debbie whenever they walked through there. They were always kind to me.

Hope Frazier

October 13, 2023

When Paul was my supervisor in 1990, he created the best administrative assistant´s day I ever had. He walked the public gardens and collected all kinds of beautiful flowers; he then presented me with a beautiful wicker basket with wine and cheese and a beautifully hand written notecard. It really made my day. He was personable and approachable! I also remember when we were in the Widener Center and it was announced that he was becoming the director, he revived from all staff a standing ovation. What a confidence builder! He really was a class act. The world will miss you Paul!

Condolences to Debbie and family!
Hope Frazier
(ex-admin to Paul Meyer, Doug Ryan, Rick Lewandowski and Jan McFarlan.

Noel Butcher Hanley

October 13, 2023

My parents, Madeleine and Keen Butcher, thought the world of Paul, for good reason! I always enjoy meeting him and seeing how the Arboretum was flourishing under his leadership. Noel Butcher Hanley

Sandra McLean

October 13, 2023

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Adele Waerig

October 13, 2023

The world loss an exceptional man yesterday, Paul Meyer.
Paul was the Director of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. He was my boss and what a wonderful boss he was. He is know throughout the world in Horticulture. Paul will be missed very much. Very sad

Steve Emery - Former intern and Staff Member

October 13, 2023

Paul was an inspiration to us all who had the pleasure of working with him at the Morris.
A very sad loss but an incredible legacy
God bless

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