Kevin Gerard Meyer

Mar 3, 1952 -

Sep 14, 2024

Kevin G. Meyer passed away outdoors, surrounded by loved ones on a beautiful Bend, Ore., afternoon on Sept. 14, 2024. He was 72, born in Richland Center, Wis., on March 3, 1952. Kevin was the fifth of eight children of the late Dr. Kilian and Mary Catherine Meyer. He grew up in the hills of Richland County, where he developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors. As a Boy Scout, Kevin earned the Order of the Arrow and cherished his adventures at Philmont Scout Camp. After graduating from Richland Ctr. High School in 1970, Kevin embarked on a series of adventures. He hitchhiked across the country to Alaska and back with lifelong friend, John Gunnill. He returned to Homer, Alaska, with his future wife Patricia Leary. While working in the canneries he met his longtime friend Craig Matkin.

In 1975, Kevin and Pat married. Kevin graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a degree in soil science. In 1977, Kevin started his long career with BLM and the National Park Service in Alaska. During this time he completed a master's degree at Colorado State in resource management. Kevin loved working outside, setting up field camps, working as a firefighter, training people for trail building, running equipment and building new trails. In 2011, Kevin wrote the book "A Comprehensive Framework for Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Management." It is a manual well used today.

In 1988, Kevin married Kristin Domela. In 1990, his dear daughter Tygan was born. Kevin and Tygan went on many adventures together, including to her future home country of Australia.

In 2013, Kevin retired from the Park Service and moved to Bend. Soon after his arrival, he met Carol Delmonico and they created a wonderful life together. His passions in the last decade of his life included working in the garden at Higher Ground Co-Housing Community, his men's groups, couples work, camping in his van, his share house and helping neighbors and friends with big and small projects. He loved working on building projects with his brother Mike, at the treasured property in Siletz, Ore.

With Kevin the glass was always half full. He approached life with curiosity and verve. He loved to sing and dance. He liked to explore far off trails. He enjoyed a braunschweiger and jelly sandwich. He loved bolo ties, vests, a collection of knives and was passionate about his craftsman's projects. He was generous to all, a favorite uncle and a dear friend to many. He will be greatly missed from Wisconsin, to Alaska, Oregon, Australia and Packer fans all over. We are all better off for knowing Kevin.

Kevin was preceded in death by his grandfather, Francis Brewer; parents, Kilian and Mary Catherine Meyer; and brother, Dennis Meyer, all of Richland Center.

Read and share more about Kevin's life at www.mykeeper.com/KevinMeyer. A celebration of life will be planned for the spring/summer 2025.