Charles 'Chuck' William Meier
May 18, 1936-Aug. 27, 2024
Pleasanton, California
Charles was born May 18th, 1936, in Batavia, New York. He graduated from LaSalle High School and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While in college, he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity and the ROTC program. After college, he worked briefly for Carborundum Company, until the warm weather of the west beckoned to him. Beginning in 1959, he began working at the Nevada Test Site near Las Vegas, NV. While in Las Vegas, he met and married his wife, Elaine. He continued his commitment to the military and our country by joining the Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Captain.
By 1967, Chuck, Elaine and their two sons, Doug and Dwight, moved to Livermore where he started working at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. While there, he brought his skills of problem-solving and organizing to an array of projects including the Laser Program, Plant Engineering, and an Environmental Impact Report. By 1971, Chuck and Elaine moved their family to Pleasanton and added two daughters, Cara and Catherine, to the clan. Chuck remained at LLNL until he retired in 2001.
Outside of work, Chuck could be found travelling around the world or behind his computer. He particularly enjoyed visiting Italy with his wife and children and camping and motorcycling with his sons. He had a lifelong commitment to staying fit by exercising daily at the local gym, jogging, hiking, playing racquetball and tennis. He also participated in community efforts by getting involved with local issues, especially those concerning new buildings around Pleasanton. Later in life, he became a writer, publishing three thrillers set in and around the Nevada Test Site. He always enjoyed having a glass of Italian wine with his wife on the patio before dinner.
Charles is survived by his wife, Elaine; his two daughters, Cara Hagemeister and Catherine Haley; his sons-in-law Grant Hagemeister and Drew Haley; and his 4 grandchildren, Jack, Bianca, Charlie, and Caitlin.
Tags: veteran
