Steven Michael Meyer

Topanga - Beloved husband, brother, cousin, friend, and temple member, Steven Michael Meyer, passed away at home in the arms of his loving wife Claudia on June 1, 2024, in Topanga, California. Born February 3, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois, Steve began an extraordinary life journey driven by his insatiable quest for knowledge and having a singularly creative mind. What would be the start of many life accomplishments began with his role as Editor of his high school Literary Club Magazine, Parchment, and with a Marksman's Badge, Junior Division, National Rifle Association. His undergraduate studies were at Lake Forest College and Northwestern University. He received his Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine while furthering his artistic talent at the Chicago Institute of Art. After spending a year in the department of surgery at Case-Western Reserve University, Cleveland, he became a Commissioned Medical Officer with the U.S. Public Health Services in Seattle, Washington. He went on to complete a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Chicago Hospital and Clinics and became a board certified ophthalmologist in South Bend, Indiana. For many years he was a successful physician and surgeon forming the Indiana Eye Institute in South Bend with offices in Chicago and surrounding areas. He gave lectures and published papers in the American Journal of Ophthalmology and Documenta Ophthalmological. While practicing medicine he earned a law degree from the University of Notre Dame, 1982, and co-authored a medical liability textbook. Early in 2000 he took the enormous risk of changing careers and relocating to Topanga, California where he designed and built his dream home on top of a mountain surrounded by majestic views and wildlife. Never one to be idle, once settled in California Steve used his background in economics, accounting, and finance (from earlier studies at Indiana University) along with his Series 7 (financial) License to become Managing Director at Pacific Summit Securities which transitioned into his true love of creating, acquiring, developing and selling privately held companies. Steve was well known as an enterprising entrepreneur both in the US and internationally. He built and owned companies in optical care; telehealth and Population Health Management; online lending; real estate; and information technology services. Although he left the practice of medicine, he remained a licensed physician throughout his lifetime. Steve's life successes came from his hard work, values and wisdom. He often said "doing the right thing doesn't ensure you will have a good result, but doing the wrong thing makes it more likely you'll have a bad result." While his accomplishments needed to be acknowledged, what he'll be remembered for is his humility, kindness, sense of humor, cheerful disposition, love of animals (especially dogs) and willingness to help anyone in need. Although Steve was driven to succeed, he was happiest spending time hiking, being with his wife and enjoying simple pleasures, especially ice cream cones. Steve is survived by his wife, Claudia Bugh, of Topanga, California; sister, Susan Mary Clarke, of Northridge, California; and German Shepherd, Tadash Meyer. He was preceded in death by his parents Lucille Meyer and Fred B. Meyer of Waukegan, Illinois.