Meyer L. Elkins, 95, of Richland, Washington, was born October 10, 1905, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died Monday, September 24, 2001, in Richland.

He graduated as a civil engineer and joined the U. S. Corp of Engineers as a civilian.  He worked on several overseas projects with the Corp and was involved in the construction of the Philadelphia subway system.

Mr. Elkins served in the U. S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He served in Burma and was instrumental in the building of the Burma Road.

After the war he joined his wife, Tillie, here in Richland where he was a construction engineer for the Atomic Energy Commission until retiring in 1969.

He was one of the founders of Congregation Beth Sholom.  He was a member of the Consistory in Kennewick, the Anti-defamation League of B’nai Brith, the National Society of Professional Engineers Tri-City chapter, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Tri-City chapter, and Robert Burns Lodge 113 A. F. & A. M. in Keithburg, Illinois.  He had recently been awarded a Scotish Rite 50 year pin.  He was also a member and the first president of the National Federation of Federal Employees Richland Local 788, and remained active long after his term expired.

Meyer is survived by his wife, Tillie; niece, Mrs. Jacqueline Riha of Long Beach, CA and her children, Judy Riha and Robert Riha both of CA; sister, Mrs. B. J. Esther Elkins Becker, nephew  Professor Harold Greenberg of Indianapolis, IN and niece, Linda Greenberg of Somerset, NJ;  He is also survived by the entire Congregation Beth Sholom of the Tri-Cities who owe their very existence to his efforts as a founding father.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2001, at Einan’s Funeral Home.  Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Contributions may be made to the Meyer L. Elkins Memorial Fund of Congregation Beth Sholom at P. O. Box 761, Richland, or a charity of your choice.