December 30, 1938 - March 13, 2018 "Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven." Colonel Richard Edward Meiers (retired), 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 13, 2018 in Honolulu. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Meiers served in the U.S. Army for 30 years attaining the rank of Colonel. His tour of duties included the Korean and Vietnam War. He also served as the Chief of Staff at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado and Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. He received numerous military awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He was also a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. After retiring from the military, he became President/CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. He was president of the board of St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii, and was the first board member who was not a nun. He also served on the boards of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, the Organ Donor Center of Hawaii, Catholic Charities, and Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and served on the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Health Care. Meiers was a founding supporter for the Farrington Health Academy, which helps high school students explore health care careers. This year the academy graduated its 26th class. Graduates have gone on to careers as physicians, nurses, physical therapists, certified nursing assistants, dental hygienists, and other professionals in the healthcare field. When Rich retired in 2009, HAH created the Rich Meiers Healthcare Administration Scholarship in his honor. Each year, a Hawaii student studying healthcare administration is selected to receive the scholarship. Richard is survived by his wife, Lynn; children Cindy and Rich Jr. and his grandaughter Kari. Visitation: Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Holy Trinity Church from 9-11am, funeral service at 11am. Burial will be at 1pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rich Meiers Healthcare Administration Scholarship Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation.
December 30, 1938 - March 13, 2018 "Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven." Colonel Richard Edward Meiers (retired), 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 13, 2018 in Honolulu. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Meiers served in the U.S. Army for 30 years attaining the rank of Colonel. His tour of duties included the Korean and Vietnam War. He also served as the Chief of Staff at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado and Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. He received numerous military awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He was also a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. After retiring from the military, he became President/CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. He was president of the board of St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii, and was the first board member who was not a nun. He also served on the boards of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, the Organ Donor Center of Hawaii, Catholic Charities, and Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and served on the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Health Care. Meiers was a founding supporter for the Farrington Health Academy, which helps high school students explore health care careers. This year the academy graduated its 26th class. Graduates have gone on to careers as physicians, nurses, physical therapists, certified nursing assistants, dental hygienists, and other professionals in the healthcare field. When Rich retired in 2009, HAH created the Rich Meiers Healthcare Administration Scholarship in his honor. Each year, a Hawaii student studying healthcare administration is selected to receive the scholarship. Richard is survived by his wife, Lynn; children Cindy and Rich Jr. and his grandaughter Kari. Visitation: Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Holy Trinity Church from 9-11am, funeral service at 11am. Burial will be at 1pm at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rich Meiers Healthcare Administration Scholarship Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
