R. Russell Meyer

March 1, 1955 - June 6, 2023 R. Russell Meyer, a nationally recognized expert in financial services, passed away on June 6, 2023, following a brief illness. He was 68.
Russ was born on March 1, 1955, in Salt Lake City. His father Ralph was a physician. His mother Hattie (Alexander) managed family life and education. Together, Ralph and Hattie imbued Russ with the mandate of excellence that made for a life of consequence.
Russ received his A.B. magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1977, and his M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1981.
After Stanford, Russ began a career that took him to the stratosphere of financial services. As investor and advisor, Russ brought brilliance, steel, and an inimitable sense of humor. It was a potent mix. Innovative structures were born, deals were done, and colleagues and competitors became friends.
Russ had a moral compass beyond compare. Whatever the risk, whatever the cost, he never failed to do the right thing. His empathy was profound; his generosity, inspiring. He was a former Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer of Planned Parenthood L.A. He was a financial trustee for his high school in Salt Lake. He was a board member of Students Run LA, which trains middle and high school students to run the LA Marathon. He was a Trustee of USA Swimming Foundation, and a primary force behind the ongoing development of open water swimming as an Olympic sport.
Russ knew how to guide aspiration to achievement, and he took great satisfaction in mentoring younger people. His irreverent style transcended age, and made his counsel all the more accessible.
To everything he did, Russ brought fire. He was a runner, a marathoner, and a triathlete. He was an open water swimmer and a certified scuba diver. He was an early adopter of technology, buying his first home PC as soon as it was available. He was a motorhead, always at the cutting edge of technology and design. He was a knowledge sponge, his travel and reading a testament to his boundless curiosity. Life for Russ was an adventure and a joyride. Through it all, he never let his stature or his accomplishments throttle his inner 10-year-old. And that was one of the things about him his many friends loved best.
In 1973, during the first week of college, Russ met Marcy Shaffer. Friendship sparked to love, and they married in 1981. Russ would say he was half of a whole. Marcy would say their whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Both Russ and Marcy appreciated fully the luck they had in finding each other, and the years they had to live their love.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Catherine Meyer Condas, and his brother Dr. Frederick P. Meyer. He leaves beloved family: Marcy Shaffer, his wife; Stephen P. and Margie Meyer (brother and sister-in-law); John and Shauna Condas (brother-in-law); Dr. Melanie Landry (sister-in-law); Alan Shaffer (brother-in-law); nieces and nephews Lindsey Clough (Geoff; and Charlie and Margot), Andrew Meyer (Lorren; and Quinn and Delaney), and Alex Meyer (Ashley; and Oliver), Russ Condas (Liz; and Coleman); Ian Condas, Torrey Meyer, Jared Meyer, Michael Perry, and Dana Marshall.
Russ also leaves an extensive chosen family, whom he loved beyond measure.
Funeral arrangements are private. The family suggests that contributions be directed to The Russ Meyer Excellent Fund at Students Run LA (http://srla.org/donate). A celebration of Russ's life is planned for the fall.