Obituary for Richard DeWitt Meyer Sr.
Richard DeWitt Meyer, Sr. lived a vigorous life for 95 years. He joyfully celebrated the last of his birthdays in September with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dozens of other family members from Springfield and across the country. Determined to make it to 100 and beyond, he was bright and engaged—always the life of the party—until his heart gave out on December 9, 2023, with his daughters at his side.
He was born in Springfield, Missouri on September 2, 1928, the third son of Eugene and Helen Meyer. He died not far from the tiny Cherry Street Grocery Store where the bright-eyed kid sweet-talked his way into his first job at age 12. While attending Drury College, he met his sweetheart, Nancy Hawkins, whom he married at the tender age of 23. Soon a theater professor, he set out with his bride to make a name for himself, while building a family that also made him proud.
From Arkansas State, to Notre Dame, Grinnell, to FSU, to Michigan, he carved a path of success based on artistic innovation and an ability to pull extraordinary performances from young actors. People flocked to him. They always have. His children from his marriage to Nancy (Chris, Jennifer, Beth, and Dave) had the joy of growing up in the scene shop and on stage. There was always a part for the Director’s kids. Cast parties were their coming-of-age. The words and music of Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Martin Luther King filled the house and infused in his family a sense of responsibility to do right by others.
Professors have the summer off, but no money. So it was always summer stock theater. Many summers brought the family back to Springfield for Tent Theater at SMU. Long lazy summers—and family-frenetic Christmas visits, too—were spent at grandma Daw’s house on South Weller Street, each strengthening bonds between the Meyer family and Nancy’s. So lucky were his children to grow up with their cousins and grandparents and a village of supporting family.
Dick managed to catapult his career with a big city adventure in 1963. Who but Dick and Nancy would load up a family of six into an old Ford and drive from Iowa to New York City without having reserved a hotel room or, more significantly, rented an apartment? After driving around the city for three days, they settled into a skimpy one-bedroom apartment in the wrong part of Staten Island. Each morning, Dick took the bus to the ferry to the subway to the Lincoln Center Repertory Theater off Washington Square. There he worked with none other than Elia Kazan, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards, and Arthur Miller. Their signatures are in his children’s elementary school yearbooks. The wide-eyed midwestern family lived frugally but exuberantly in The Big Apple for a year, albeit with some arguments over which side of the bed one was allowed to sleep in. All was accomplished on Dick’s year-long sabbatical salary of $4,500, which proved sufficient to cover an allowance of 5¢ per week for each of the children. That was adequate for a roll of delicious Live Savers. Or a contribution to the Poor Box after Mass.
Dick’s first marriage led to his second, with Victoria Parent, whose strong and cheerful bond produced their much loved son, who bears his father’s name. After a painfully young death for both Vickie and then Rich, their legacy continues through Rich’s wonderful wife, Jenna, and her happy and growing family.
Dick’s life was complex. Time heals. Especially when the foundations of love are well laid. He laid them well, creating a nurturing home that instilled in each of his five children a sense that they were something and could do anything they want. Kinda like him.
He was born in Springfield, Missouri on September 2, 1928, the third son of Eugene and Helen Meyer. He died not far from the tiny Cherry Street Grocery Store where the bright-eyed kid sweet-talked his way into his first job at age 12. While attending Drury College, he met his sweetheart, Nancy Hawkins, whom he married at the tender age of 23. Soon a theater professor, he set out with his bride to make a name for himself, while building a family that also made him proud.
From Arkansas State, to Notre Dame, Grinnell, to FSU, to Michigan, he carved a path of success based on artistic innovation and an ability to pull extraordinary performances from young actors. People flocked to him. They always have. His children from his marriage to Nancy (Chris, Jennifer, Beth, and Dave) had the joy of growing up in the scene shop and on stage. There was always a part for the Director’s kids. Cast parties were their coming-of-age. The words and music of Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Martin Luther King filled the house and infused in his family a sense of responsibility to do right by others.
Professors have the summer off, but no money. So it was always summer stock theater. Many summers brought the family back to Springfield for Tent Theater at SMU. Long lazy summers—and family-frenetic Christmas visits, too—were spent at grandma Daw’s house on South Weller Street, each strengthening bonds between the Meyer family and Nancy’s. So lucky were his children to grow up with their cousins and grandparents and a village of supporting family.
Dick managed to catapult his career with a big city adventure in 1963. Who but Dick and Nancy would load up a family of six into an old Ford and drive from Iowa to New York City without having reserved a hotel room or, more significantly, rented an apartment? After driving around the city for three days, they settled into a skimpy one-bedroom apartment in the wrong part of Staten Island. Each morning, Dick took the bus to the ferry to the subway to the Lincoln Center Repertory Theater off Washington Square. There he worked with none other than Elia Kazan, Hal Holbrook, Jason Robards, and Arthur Miller. Their signatures are in his children’s elementary school yearbooks. The wide-eyed midwestern family lived frugally but exuberantly in The Big Apple for a year, albeit with some arguments over which side of the bed one was allowed to sleep in. All was accomplished on Dick’s year-long sabbatical salary of $4,500, which proved sufficient to cover an allowance of 5¢ per week for each of the children. That was adequate for a roll of delicious Live Savers. Or a contribution to the Poor Box after Mass.
Dick’s first marriage led to his second, with Victoria Parent, whose strong and cheerful bond produced their much loved son, who bears his father’s name. After a painfully young death for both Vickie and then Rich, their legacy continues through Rich’s wonderful wife, Jenna, and her happy and growing family.
Dick’s life was complex. Time heals. Especially when the foundations of love are well laid. He laid them well, creating a nurturing home that instilled in each of his five children a sense that they were something and could do anything they want. Kinda like him.