Lt. Col. Ret. Herbert Carl Meyr Jr., passed away peacefully on Monday, September 28, 2020 in Mountain Home, Idaho at the age of 81.
Herb is survived by his wife Sharon L. Meyr of Port Orange, Florida. Brother Richard Meyr of Reno, Nevada. He is preceded in death by both his parents.
Herb was born on December 1, 1938 in Miami, Florida to Herbert & Louise Meyr. Herb graduated Covington Elementary in Los Altos, CA. in (1952) and was part of the first graduating class from Covington Elementary. Four years later in (1956) Herbert graduated from Mountain View High School in Mountain View, CA. Herb attended San Jose State College where he joined R.O.T.C. and was commissioned as an officer, after receiving a BS degree in chemistry. After graduation he was employed with Shell Chemical Corporation in New York City as a junior executive trainer for 6 months. In the same year the United States Air Force sent Herb to Texas to attend undergraduate pilot training at Webb AFB. In 1963 Herb was assigned to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, and then onto Myrtle Beach AFB in South Carolina, where he trained on F-100 fighter jets with the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Shortly after he was sent for temporary duty to Turkey, and assigned the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Aviano AB, Italy. During the Vietnam War in (1965) Herb flew on an A-1 Skyraiderr, and served as a fighter squadron advisor in 520th VNAF. After leaving Vietnam, Lt. Col. Meyr was stationed at Eglin AFB, Eglin, FL, where he trained U.S. and Vietnamese pilots. At Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV, and with the 491st TFS at Cannon AFB, NM, Herb began training officers on F-111 aircraft. In 1970-1973 Herb was stationed in England (79TFS). His final assignment came in 1977 when he was permanently assigned to Mountain Home AFB as Chief of Standards and Evaluations. He retired in 1984 from the USAF as Lieutenant Colonel.
During his military career Herb was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star, and 17 Air Medals, along with the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Lt. Col. Meyr was the 8th pilot to reach 3000 flight hours in a F-111. Herb married Mary Sue Childs in 1976. His second marriage was to Sharon L. Knight in 1990. During his retirement Herb traveled the world with his wife Sharon, enjoying several Disney Cruises. Herb was chairman and board member of the Henry's Fork Foundation for three years, board member and past president of the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation, and a National Life Member of Wild Sheep Foundation. Senator Mike Crapo appointed Herb as a board member of the Owyhee Canyon Land Initiative. He participated in the restoration of Big Horn Sheep into Hells Canyon, and reintroduction of the Big Horn to the Jim Sage Mountains.
During his retirement Herbert enjoyed hunting big game, fly fishing, skiing and diving. Herb is a member of the Super Sabre Society, A-1 Skyraider Association, and Silver Sage Chapter of Porsche Club of America.
Lt. Colonel Ret. Herbert C. Meyr Jr. will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.
Memorial contributions in Herb Meyr’s name can be made to the Warhawk Air Museum 201 Municipal Drive Nampa, Idaho 83687. A personal military collection of Lt. Colonel Herbert Meyr will be on displace in coming months at the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa.