SR0469 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0469 LRB103 34211 LAW 64035 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Captain Frederick P. Meyers, U.S. Navy (Ret.) of Pekin, who passed away on October 18, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Meyers was born to Harry and Agnes (Plaschko) Meyers in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 25, 1933; he enrolled in the U.S. Coast Guard for two years; he then enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Lenmore Naval Base in California; he graduated from Western Washington University; he married Jeanine in Pekin on May 4, 2000; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Meyers served in the U.S. Navy, first becoming an exchange officer after training; as a lieutenant commander, he led the No. 78 Training Squadron and trained the RNZAF Skyhawks No. 75 Squadron, where he spent two years with the Skyhawks pilots while stationed in Ohakea; he served as the airwing commander (CAG) on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in the Western Pacific, where he oversaw eight squadrons and 2,500 individuals; he was then deployed to the Indian Ocean for over nine months in response to the overthrow of the Iranian government; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Meyers served as commanding officer of Navy Attack Squadron 164 Ghost Riders, flying the A4F Skyhawk, from 1974 to 1975; he led the squadron through its pre-deployment training cycle and through its Western Pacific cruise, which included support of the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam and the recovery of captured merchant ship S.S. Mayaguez; his command service ended when the squadron was disestablished in late 1975; he continued to serve until his retirement in 1982; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Meyers enjoyed traveling for hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends and family alongside his wife, Jeanine; they also enjoyed softball and golf, and they were leaders of the Bob Hope Golf Classic; and

WHEREAS, Capt. Meyers was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Barbara Meyers; his sister, Diane Carlier; his brothers, Harry Meyers and Clare Meyers; and his grandson, Bryan Fowler; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Capt. Meyers was survived by his wife of 21 years, Jeanine (Beasley, Barnes, Hattermann) Meyers; his daughters, Yvonne (Fowler) Jerry Nottnagel, Terri (Ackerman) Steele, and Laurie Moreland; his grandchildren, Nick (Nicole), Elizabeth, and Caroline Ackerman, Krystina Fowler, and Garrett (Peyton) Moreland; his step-grandchildren, Rhett (Mary) Barnes, Tyler (Misty) Barnes, Chad (Nancy) Barnes, Darren (Tamra) Barnes, Danielle (Ben Fister) Barnes, and Tara (Todd) Crowson; 13 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Roger (Marie) Meyers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Captain Frederick P. Meyers, U.S. Navy (Ret.) and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Capt. Meyers as an expression of our deepest sympathy.