Stefan Herbert Meyer, 78, passed away in Houston, Texas on Tuesday, June 9th, 2009, after a long illness. He was born the second child to Lotte Rosenfelder and Herbert Meyer on May 26th, 1931 in Frankfort on the Main, Germany. His father had a Doctoral Degree in Metallurgy & Physics from Germany and his mother was an accomplished musician who also wrote poetry.
When Stephan was one year old his family fled from Germany and went to Switzerland. There his father wasn't allowed to work, so they emigrated to France where Herbert Meyer was accepted at the Academy of Science in Paris, France. As the Second World War came closer he was dismissed because he was born in Berlin, Germany. Through a cousin of Lotte, he was able to open an office in the fur business. Lotte's cousin was in that business in Europe as well as in the United States and South America.
The family lived in Montmorentcy near Paris. Shortly before the war broke out, Stefan's father was put in jail in Northern France (as were most foreigners) while the family was on vacation in Sables d'Olonne on the west coast. Herbert had come to see his family before leaving to join the Foreign Legion. He thought he would still be able to get his wife and two children out of France before the Nazi's invasion. But his efforts were in vain.
Once Herbert was discharged from the Foreign Legion (which was rare), he went to occupied France to find his family. Herbert's former accountant in the fur business, M. Tournier, was helping the family. He knew where they were hiding in Paris and also their changed family name. Herbert wanted to take his wife and children to free' France. The family was able to get to Limoges, France with the continued help of M. Tournier.
During this time, Stefan was no longer in school, he was learning through mail. A teacher would mail his school work and he would send his lessons back. His sister, Brigitte, was living in a Catholic private school. But the political climate continued to escalate and got dangerous once again. Brigitte was brought back to the family's home, a room in a hotel, just before the southern German invasion took place. This was on the same day that their father went to try to get a second set of visas, but was unable to do so. The embassy had been closed because of the German occupation. New arrangements had to be made, and gold paid to hire a guide, so the family could escape through Pyrenčes, France into Spain. Many different people helped and the family finally escaped by paying more gold to those who supported the Allied Cause in Spain.
After repeated efforts, the family was finally able to get their papers re-established in their real names. With the new papers matching their new visas, they were finally able to arrange travel to Lisbon, Portugal. They were then able to secure passage with only 41 other passengers on the N/V Nyassa, which was the last boat that left for America. The Nyassa stopped at the Azores and rescued two hundred stranded American Merchant Marines who had been torpedoed by the Germans. The rescued men traveled hidden in the bottom of the ship so that the German U-boats wouldn't notice them. It was against the law to help a country who was at war with the Germans. The voyage lasted for two weeks before reaching the United States.
The family eventually settled in New Jersey where Stefan graduated from High School and attended Rutgers University for two years. Before long he was drafted into the Army. He was trained by the military to be an aerial photographer in planes flying over Europe. However, because of a change of command within the Army, Stefan was sent to Korea. While there, he would buy food for the impoverished children around him with the little he had. During his service, Stefan was able to take a two week vacation in Japan and loved the people and culture that he found there. Stefan achieved the rank of Corporal before receiving an Honorable Discharge for his service during the Korean War.
Stefan worked as a major'd in Las Vegas. He also was an actor and had various small parts in the theater and sometimes in movies. He was engaged to a singer who had a Master's Degree from Julliard in New York City.
Stefan is survived by his sister Brigitte Steele & brother-in-law Dr. James Steele of Houston, Texas. For the past 16 years Stefan lived with his sister Brigitte and brother-in-law Jim. He loved to walk daily for hours and go bicycling. As the end of his life drew near, he couldn't do either. He is now at rest and free from suffering.
A Memorial Service with Rabbi Deborah Schloss was held at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009, in the VA Chapel at the Houston National Cemetery located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, phone 281-447-8686. Military Honors were rendered by the V.F.W. District #4 Ceremonial Detail.
Stefan will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
