Irvin J. "Irv" Meyer

Irvin "Irv" J. Meyer, age 74, of Caledonia, Wisconsin, and formerly of Chicago, Illinois, died peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Irv married the love of his life, Kay FitzGerald and together they had 4 children: Christy (Tony Rickabaugh), Amy (Joe D'Arco), Joey † (2021), and Megan (Peter). He was a proud and loving "Papa" to his grandkids - Alex, Jesse, Mia, Gio, and Stella.

For 40 years, Irv was a building engineer at Columbia College Chicago. He helped Columbia grow from a single rented floor to 21 buildings.

While at Columbia, Irv pursued his passion for lifelong learning, by taking one class each semester and expanding his talents in art, animation, jewelry making, and more. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Art from Columbia College in the same year he retired, 2016.

Irv loved running, and did countless marathons and triathlons in his younger years. His coworkers remember his daily lunch break runs, and still joke how he'd come back and eat "20 pounds of fruits and vegetables" while they'd sit and watch in awe.

With Irv's building skills, he transformed their small Niles, Illinois home into the amazing "Fort Meyer" that became the headquarters for family and friends to gather for over 30 years.

Known affectionately as a "baby hog", Irv would scoop up, snuggle and magically calm any baby. Friends and family were always eager to hand their babies off to Irv.

Irv was a proud lifelong hippie. He was passionate about human rights and believed that all people - regardless of race, gender, or background - deserve respect and equal protection under the law.

He loved the outdoors and time in nature. Irv shared his passion for camping, fishing, and kayaking with his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. He also loved his dogs - and we're sure Murphy, his German Shepherd, was waiting for him with lots of hugs and kisses on the other side.

Irv will be remembered as a loving husband, father, Papa, and friend whose legacy of love and adventure lives on in all who loved him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Greater Chicago Food Depository in his name. Irv loved feeding babies and would want to make sure they're taken care of in this time:
https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/get-involved/give/tribute-memorial-giving/

We hope you'll join us in celebrating a life well lived and deeply loved.