Former Spearfish resident, Henry Meier, age 77, passed away in Centennial, Colorado, Sept. 17, '08, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born in Luenen, Westphalia, Germany, February 23, l931, the son of Heinrich and Therese (nee Rediker) Meier, and grew up there during World War II where he and his family experienced many hardships. Unable to complete his education due to the war, Henry found work at an early age in civil administration which handled the settlement of refugees.
He immigrated to the United States in 1951 to join the Black Hills Passion Play which his uncle, Josef Meier, had founded in Spearfish. He played a variety of roles and for several years toured with the company to many locations in the United States and Canada. At the winter home of the production in Lake Wales, Florida, he met his wife, Shirley Ding, who was also with the company. She was the daughter of Jacob and Lydia Ding from Glen Ullin, North Dakota, who later became Spearfish residents in l970.
Henry also attended Black Hills State, and together with Shirley attended the University of Montana, in Missoula, Montana, where they graduated and were married in 1960. Finding his true calling in higher education, he and Shirley moved to suburban Chicago, where he taught German language and literature for the next thirty-five years. He studied at the Universidad National de Mexico, received his M.A. from the University of Colorado, and did post graduate work at several Midwestern universities. He was a founding faculty member and department chairman at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, and taught there until retirement, when they moved to Centennial, Colorado.
Henry was known as a private modest person who had a quick wit, sharp sense of humor, wide knowledge of history, frugal habits and great financial acumen. He enjoyed traveling, museums, theater, musical concerts and a good game of cards. He was an avid swimmer, soccer fan and coach. He always put his family first and through the years spent many summers in Spearfish visiting family and friends in the Black Hills.
In addition to his wife of 48 years, he leaves behind his daughters Catherine Meier Spader (Craig), Bailey, Colorado and Theresa Meier Conley (Jeffrey), Centennial, Colorado and grandchildren Daniel Campion, Lauren Conley, and James Conley. Also his sisters Resi Horcher (Georg) and Doris Huesing (Klaus), both of Bamberg, Germany, and several nieces, nephews and cousins, including Johanna Meier Della Veechia (Guido) of Spearfish. Preceding him in death were his parents, aunts, and uncles, including Clare and Josef Meier, with whom he lived during his early years in America.
Spearfish graveside services at Rose Hill will be held Saturday, September 20, at 10:30 a.m., with Deacon Tom Freece officiating. A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at the Horan-McConaty Chapel in Centennial, Colorado on Sunday October 5th, 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Henry Meier German Scholarship Fund in care of The Harper College Educational Foundation, 2200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, Illinois, 60067.