Frank Meyer, founder of Meyer Tool & Mfg., longtime CSA supporter and valued member of the cryogenic community, passed away on February 6. He will be sorely missed by colleagues and friends. Frank J. Meyer, founder and long-time President of Meyer Tool & Mfg., Inc. (MEYER) has died. He was 81. Mr. Meyer died on February 6, 2006 in his home in Evergreen Park, IL of natural causes.
Frank left Argonne National Laboratory in 1969 to found MEYER. In his capacity as a lead machinist at Argonne, he saw a need for industrial suppliers able to provide the complex high quality products needed to support scientific research and development. Originally conceived as a machine shop, MEYER soon became involved in the disciplines of vacuum and cryogenics. Mr. Meyer’s company was key supplier of cryogenic equipment to Fermilab during its construction in the early 1970’s and the decades that followed. Much of that equipment is still in use today.
Settling on a niche of supplying custom manufactured assemblies for science and industry, Mr. Meyer developed the company into one with a reputation for the very best in quality and service. MEYER is known best for its ability to successfully build complex difficult assemblies that others cannot. This is due in great part to Frank’s “can do” attitude that permeates the company’s culture.
Frank made many friends among scientists, engineers and procurement agents at the national laboratories and industrial customers. He had personal involvement as an industry participant in most of the exciting and cutting-edge high-energy physics science projects of the last 30 years. Starting with the initial construction of Fermilab, Frank and his company provided components for the Tevatron, CEBAF, MFTF and NOVA Laser, SSCL, APS, CHESS, NIF, SNS, LHC and many smaller but just as important projects.
Mr. Meyer’s commitment to his employees and customers has resulted in numerous examples of long term retention of both. Frank led MEYER until his retirement in 2000. Even after his retirement from day to day activities he took an active interest in the company and continued to be a resource of knowledge and advice. Frank’s daughter Eileen Cunningham succeeded him as company President. In 1997 Frank established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to transfer 33% of the company stock to the employees over a ten-year period. The continued commitment of Mrs. Cunningham and the MEYER’s long term employees will ensure that Meyer Tool & Mfg., Inc. continues as a testament to Frank Meyer’s “can do” spirit.
Visitation: Thursday February 9, 2006, 3PM-9PM at Kenny Brothers Funeral Home, 3600 W. 95th Street, Evergreen Park, IL
Funeral Mass: Friday February 10, 2006 9:45 AM from Kenny Brothers to mass at 10:30AM at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 96th Street & Millard Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL.
