Editor:
This is dedicated to my father-in-law, Ralph Meyer, who passed away June 28 at 91.
To honour Ralph, I thought I would share a bit about him and the importance of having fun, staying sharp, and enjoying life. I have seen far too many people who work, work, work, and have no time for play, and then something happens that they cannot enjoy life anymore or they pass at a relatively young age.
Ralph was born in England and immigrated to Canada in the late 1950s with his wife, June. He retired at 60 after a successful career as an architect in Vancouver. They moved to the Coast about 16 years ago from West Vancouver where they raised their three children.
Ralph played tennis into his 80s (three times a week) and was integral in designing and helping build the indoor tennis facility in Sechelt. He also loved kayaking into his 80s (twice a week). He stayed active until his heart gave him trouble about seven years ago. Even though he ate very clean (except for the chocolate he so loved) and didn’t drink, heart issues ran in his family and he ended up having quintuple bypass surgery. Physically slowed, he switched to more mental stimulating activities: playing crib, Upwords, doing crosswords daily. Walks until the last few years. He’d still go for drives and short walks or hop on a golf cart at the Botanical Gardens, which he loved very much. His garden was also his happy place. Hundreds of different species of birds would visit. He also worked on his memoirs from a very full life. Something I think we all should do to carry on a legacy for our children and grandchildren.
He will be missed greatly. Having two dads made me a very lucky man (and I still have my real dad in Calgary).
Work will always be there. We need to take time to refresh, reactivate, and reflect on the life we have. Do not take things for granted. Enjoy your family and life. Tomorrow is never promised.
Please take care of yourselves and your families.
RIP Dad. Love you.
Russ Dantu, Son-in-law
Editor's note: Shortly before his passing, Ralph Meyer sent in a poem for the Coast Reporter to publish – On the way out.