With a truly amazing attitude about life and dying, Frank Meyer succumbed to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis on Monday, April 9, 2018 at the age of 77.
Frank was born in Houston, Texas to Leanore Adams Meyer and Robert Charles Meyer on January 13, 1941.
Growing up in West University Place, Houston, Frank had a wonderful childhood full of activities that would prepare him for his many accomplishments later in life: school, scouting, boating, fishing, water-skiing, ice skating and working his teen summers on Mississippi River barges. He was dedicated to everything he undertook throughout his career and his volunteer activities. Frank attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX and then graduated with a PI Tau Sigma Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University in 1966. He was a member of the Alberta Professional Engineers and Geoscientists, the Texas Professional Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. Frank was the recipient of the 2011 Canadian Engineering Leader Award from the Schulich School of Engineering. In the fall of 2013, the Frank and Sarah Meyer/Foundation CMG Collaboration Centre was opened on the University of Calgary campus.
Frank started his career with Shell Pipeline in Houston, TX where he did pipeline research (earning several patents) then pipeline operations in Eastern and Western Texas, including pipeline construction. In 1972, Shell transferred Frank to Calgary for a temporary six month assignment to work on large diameter pipelines from the arctic and deep waters East coast drilling. The six months “temporary” assignment in Canada turned out to be over 46 wonderful years in Calgary. Before leaving Shell in 1979, Frank founded Auto-trol Canada in 1976, bringing early CAD/CAM computer systems to Canada. In 1985 Frank left Auto-trol and assumed presidency of CMG (Computer Modelling Group). He founded public company CMGL (Computer Modelling Group Ltd.) in 1997, expanding engineering of oil & gas reservoir modelling worldwide. Although he retired from CMGL operations in 2000, he remained Chairman of the Board until July 2017. Frank spearheaded Foundation CMG from 1997 until 2010 and continued on its Board until December 2017. Through Frank’s initiative, Foundation CMG, now known as Energi Simulation, currently sponsors 12 universities and over 600 graduate students at universities around the world in the science of oil & gas reservoir engineering and modelling.
Frank started his volunteer commitments early after arriving in Calgary at Triwood Community Centre where he helped coach Tiny Mites, helping them earn a couple city championships and one for the province. He knew nothing about hockey but did know how to skate after having managed a skating rink with the only “blue ice” in Texas while a student. Teaching blind students how to skate was a rewarding experience for him. Always with a dedicated attitude, Frank served on many professional, social and condo committees, as well as anything to do with alpine skiing while the children were in ski racing at Panorama. Frank’s ultimate passion was alpine skiing and he would have given anything to have a helicopter take him to the top of the mountain for one last run. This was not to be.
Although Frank did worldwide travelling while in business, he and Sarah expanded his lust for seeing the world in retirement and enjoyed many fabulous adventures. One of his favourite was a three month ski odyssey in Western U.S.A. and Canada. No less important was a “round the world adventure,” visiting ten countries in one month, seeing all the tourist attractions and enjoying learning about the different cultures. According to Frank, Life was a wonderful journey with family, friends and relatives around the world. His Motto: Do whatever you can with whomever, laugh, enjoy, and help others. Always treat others the way you wish to be treated. And this is the way Frank lived his life.
Frank is survived by Sarah Meyer (nee Knies), his soul mate and best friend as his loving wife of over 50 years; his son Edwin (Francesca) Meyer; daughter Karen Meyer (John Adams); and three beautiful grandchildren, Austin Saunders, Meghan Meyer and Noah Meyer. He is also survived by two siblings in Houston, Texas, John (Kathy) Meyer and Marilyn (John) Meyer Diffenderfer; and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Phyllis and Raphael Ackerman and Anne and Ed Oser of Jasper, IN; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States.
Frank was predeceased by his parents and his older brother Robert.
Relatives and friends are invited to a brief Prayer Service at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
A Celebration of Frank’s Life with Tributes will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB) on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at the funeral home. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wish to thank Dr. Charlene Fell, Kirk Mathison and the staff at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Clinic, the amazing Palliative Care team, Dr. Jeremy DeBruyn and Dr. Stacy J . Davies for their continual support and compassion received during this challenging time. Also, our thanks go to the staff at Carewest Sarcee Hospice for their dedication and care. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association of Calgary, 1245-70 Avenue S.E. Calgary, AB, T2H 2X8 Telephone: 403.206.9938 https://www .ahpca.ca/donate-to-the-alberta-hospice-palliative-care-association/ or a memorial tribute to support education and research at the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering. This may be made by telephone at 403-220-8261 of Toll free 1-800-972-8632, online, or by cheque made payable to the University of Calgary – please note “Frank Meyer Memorial Fund” in the memo line. Please mail all cheques to: Office of Development OVC, 2500 University Dr. N.W. Calgary,AB T2N 1N4.
In living memory of Frank Meyer, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB, T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403- 276-2296.