Brian Norbert Meyer
January 26, 1954 - April 17, 2023
Apex, North Carolina - Dr. Brian N. Meyer, 69, of Apex, North Carolina passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2023.
Brian is survived by wife Deborah; daughter Allison Meyer and fiancé Matthew Cecil, son Richard Meyer and wife Valerie, son Jason Meyer and girlfriend Beth Covey; granddaughters Kinley, Bristol, and Haley. Brian is forever remembered by his sisters Marybeth (Mike) Schneider and Marcia (Allan) Meyer-Stoner, along with his sisters-in-law Judy and Lori Tarabek, niece McCall, nephews Zachary, Logan, and Griffin. Brian was preceded in death by his parents Betty and Norbert Meyer, as well as parents-in-law Florence and Eugene Tarabek.
Brian was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from St. Xavier High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from The University of Dayton. He earned his Masters and PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy from Purdue University. He was a Post-doctoral fellow at Research Triangle Institute.
His most important publication concerned a new bench-top bioassay utilizing brine shrimp; this paper has been referenced hundreds of times and the method has led phytochemists to dozens of new bioactive compounds. He finished his career as a chemical curator with EPA and as an adjunct professor of chemistry at Central Carolina Community College. During his tenure at the EPA he made enormous contributions to the content and quality of the Distributed Structure-Searchable Toxicity database, the foundational chemistry database for the Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure.
Brian found great joy in teaching which is how he met Debbie. He was a quiet thoughtful man, but he often entertained us with unexpected quips. Brian was loved by his many friends including Ann, Saku, and Saresh.
Brian was a passionate, accomplished musician, playing piano and flute for church, community theater, weddings, and parties. He was a member of jazz band Nobody's Bizness, and flute ensemble Winds of Hope.
At Brian's request, his body has been donated to Elon University's Anatomical Gift Program.
A funeral mass will be held at St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex at 11:00am on Monday, June 26. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Apex Senior Center from 4:30pm-7:30pm on Monday, June 26.
In Brian's honor, please consider donating blood or giving to The American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on May 27, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Brian Meyer

11 Entries

Liz Meyer

February 28, 2024

Was Brian related to Harold E. Meyer? Harold is deceased as well.

Vicente Samano

June 26, 2023

Brian will always be remembered as a valuable and dear colleague of our chemical curation team at the EPA. I really enjoyed my interactions with Brian, especially his kindness and ready disposition to help everyone. My deepest sympathies to Brian's family.

Kristin LoBiondo

Planted Trees

Barb and Rick Wagner

June 23, 2023

Deb and family, We are so sorry for your loss.

Suresh Mislankar

June 22, 2023

I met Brian in 2000 when two of our company , where we were working merged together to become Aventis CropScience. It was like a meeting between two long lost brothers. He is the kindest and most helpful person, I have ever met in my life. He was very smart, yet down to earth.
In 13 years we were together in a same group. I don´t think , I finished a single report without showing it to Brian and getting his comments. We did everything together, conduct studies together helping one another, went to concert together. He was more than friend to me. I will discuss everything with him and get his suggestion, before taking any major decision.
Brian, it is so difficult to talk about you in past tense. It just does not feel real that you are no more with me. But your kindness, your compassion, will always be with me till I live on this earth. You will always be in my heart.
Brian, I miss you dearly.
May Lord give shower His infinite grace on Debbie and his children to bear your loss.

Suresh Mislankar

Lynne Allen

June 22, 2023

Brian always had a special sparkle in his eye. I remember him as a very kind man, a wonderful musician and a good friend to the late Richard Allen. I am so very sorry to hear that Brian has passed away. I hold you all in my heart at this difficult time, grief is a long journey. Sincere condolences from our family Lynne, Amy and Laura Mae.

Trish Weber

June 22, 2023

So sorry for Brian´s passing! He was a wonderful man who I had the pleasure of meeting!
Big hugs for you and your family!

Saku Sivasupramaniam

June 1, 2023

I have had the privilege of calling Brian, my friend. Although I had known him for a mere five plus years - I might as well have known him all my life, for he truly was a kindred spirit.

My foray into what was for me, the new discipline of chemical curation, was made possible mainly due to Brian's guidance and direction. Brian´s sharp intellect and insight made the whole process of learning exciting and enjoyable. He gave his time and shared his expertise so very willingly. Apart from work, I admired and was influenced by his balanced views on a range of subjects, many a time I was challenged to think issues through, giving me an inkling of his true value as a wonderful individual and a good friend.

Both Brian and Debbie have been my friends, their concern and care is something that I will always cherish. I will truly miss my dear friend.

Ann Richard

May 30, 2023

I was incredibly fortunate to be able to hire Brian to join our chemistry curation team through EPA's Senior Employment hiring program nearly 5 years ago. Not only did he bring a deep well of chemistry experience to the table, but he quickly befriended the entire team and generously gave his time to mentoring newly hired team members. He made lasting and important contributions to our public chemistry database project that is servicing environmental protection efforts worldwide. His generous spirit, keen intelligence, and dry sense of humor will be sorely missed by me and his entire EPA family. We lost a very special friend and colleague much too soon. Our deepest condolences to Deb and his entire family.

Antony Williams

May 29, 2023

I had the privilege of working alongside Brian at EPA, working with him on the chemistry curation efforts. Brian was a highly skilled chemist and we were fortunate to have the opportunity to have him on our team. He made very important contributions that thousands of people are benefiting from.
Brian had a wonderful sense of humor, shared his musical skills with us on our lunchtime virtual get-togethers, and was a great teacher and instructor. I am fortunate to have known Brian and miss him

Claire Carlton

May 24, 2023

I remember fondly working with Brian in ENV Sci at Goldsboro in AgrEvo days. A gentle man but always driven by science. Sincere condolences to Deborah and his entire family. Claire Miller-Carlton.

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