David Dale Meyer, 94, passed away on Nov. 10, 2024, in Kennewick, Wash. He was a beloved and trustworthy father, husband and friend who valued his family and his country.

David was born in March 1930 in the sandhills of Greeley County, Neb., where he spent his childhood on the family’s homestead. The oldest of six children, “Davey” was groomed to be the fourth-generation homesteader on the family’s acreage. He attended Fish Creek School, and then in 1947 graduated from high school in Scotia, Neb., along with 33 classmates. In 1951, he said “itchy feet” led him and a buddy to a Navy recruiting office in Omaha. He decided to enlist–a decision that led to a 30-year career in the Navy. He served bootcamp in San Diego, followed by two years on a tender ship in San Diego Harbor. He volunteered for submarine duty and was assigned to an experimental missile sub. David was chosen to be part of the first group of sailors trained on the then cutting-edge nuclear submarines and served aboard the USS John C. Calhoun for 10 years. 

David married Carmelita in 1957, and they had their first son, Kevin, in 1958, while stationed in Portsmouth, N.H. They moved their family as the Navy demanded, and each of their five children was born in different states, from Hawaii to California, to South Carolina.

Having reached the rank of senior chief petty officer, David left active duty in 1971. He and the family settled down in Washington state–first in Goldendale and then in West Richland, where they lived for 40 years. David’s nuclear skills led to a career as a mechanic on reactors at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation; he worked there in various capacities until he retired in 1994. 

When David wasn’t working at the Hanford area, he and Carmelita grew a small farm in West Richland. They kept heifers and chickens, harvested much of their own fruits and vegetables, and loved their dogs and cats. David and his sons built a small cabin in the woods of the Blue Mountains, and they spent some weekends there. In retirement, he took up woodworking, prolifically crafting many pieces of furniture, functional items and ornaments. David enjoyed reading history and other nonfiction books. 

David and Carmelita were long-time parishioners at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland, and David was an active member of the Tri-Cities U.S. Submarine Veterans group. 

David’s friends and family knew him as a man of few words, but if a visitor had time to spare, he would open up and happily share stories from his submarine days. Though often quiet and observant, when he did speak up, he deployed a quick, dry wit. And if something struck David as funny, his laughter often spurred tears of joy. Fellow residents at the Kennewick retirement center where he spent his recent years called him “Chief” and appreciated his enthusiasm for bean-bag baseball, shuffleboard and Rummikub. A farm boy at heart, David always loved a good dog to pet, talk of the changing weather, a slice of homemade pie and a cold beer.

David is survived by his children Roberta and John McCollum, Paul and Shelly Meyer, Tracy and Jinyong Meyer, Tedra Meyer and Peijin Chen, Mirka and Patrick Smith; his grandchildren Aaron Meyer and Chelan Sweeney, Andrew and Bethany Meyer, Anju Meyer, Chloe Meyer, Junhyun Meyer, Sora Meyer, Rachael and Aaron Carlson, Lindsey and Jake Davis; his great-grandchildren Francis and Tifani Meyer, Taron and Kylie Carlson, Owen and Henry Davis; and his siblings, Sharleen Bebernes, Deanna Conner, and Teddi and Doug Hoyt.

David’s loyalty, dutifulness and humor were cherished, and he will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial will be planned for the spring.