Frederick G. Myer, Jr. ’60 died on March 8, 2022, in Woodbridge, Virginia

(The following was provided by his family on March 8, 2022)

Woodbridge, VA – Frederick Geer Myer, Jr., age 83, died March 8, 2022, at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Colonel Myer (“Fred”) is survived by his wife, Barbara, his sister, Virginia (“Ginny”) Myer, and two children, Heidi J. Myer Thorpe (Michael) and Frederick G. Myer, III (Lisa). He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Eva Ruth Thorpe and Michael T. Thorpe, Jr.

Fred is a veteran of the Vietnam War and the Cold War. During his career in the U.S. Army, he earned numerous distinguished awards and accolades. Fred grew up in Beverly, MA, with his parents, Frederick G., and Eva R. Myer (deceased), his brother John (deceased) and his sister Ginny. Always a hard worker, Fred was self-taught in playing piano, trumpet, guitar, banjo, and harmonica. He loved playing in a local jazz band, worked as a golf caddy and in various other jobs until attending Bowdoin College from which he graduated with a B.A. in Music in 1960.

Fred served in the U.S. Army from 1960 until 1987 during which time he was stationed in FT Benning, GA, FT Hood, TX, Straubing, West Germany, FT Holabird, MD (three times), FT Devens, MA, West Berlin in East Germany (two times), FT Leavenworth, KS, FT Monroe, VA, Warsaw, Poland, and the Pentagon. He served two tours in Vietnam with distinction. During his military career he attended several schools for training in the Russian and Polish languages and intelligence work. In 1984 he was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw as the Defense Attaché.

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Army, Fred worked for BDM International, Inc./TRW as an analyst for the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC)/National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). He also volunteered for many years at the Chinn Library, Prince William County Library System.

Always focused on learning Fred surrounded himself at home by stacks of books. He continued his education throughout his life earning a M.A. in International Relations from Boston University, a Master of Music from George Washington University, a M.S. in Library Science from Catholic University, and was a candidate for a Master of Liberal Arts at Johns Hopkins University when he was sent to Vietnam.

Music was a huge part of Fred’s life, and he amassed an amazing collection of jazz and classical music. Every evening he could be heard playing the piano and always entertained at any gathering where a piano was present. When they were very young, he serenaded his children during bath time with his guitar and harmonica and later, he took the whole family around the neighborhood each season for Christmas caroling as he played the trumpet. He was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and New England Patriots.

Fred was extraordinary and will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, cheerfulness, humbleness, and thoughtfulness. He leaves behind a loving family and a multitude of friends who will miss him very much.