2001_meyer | Woodward HOF

Stanley D. Meyer Inducted 2001 - Class of 1952

Stanley "Stan" Meyer's life is a litany of successes. Building on an enviable academic record at Woodward, he pursued a career in mechanical engineering. His impressive achievements include numerous contributions in the field of nuclear weapons design and development projects, many of them classified as ''top secret." It all began at Woodward.

Stan grew up at 2923 Stickney Avenue, just 1/2 mile from Woodward. "It was an ethnically and racially integrated neighborhood consisting of single and multi-family homes and businesses." He attended Spring Elementary School.

Stan credits Woodward with providing him with an education that allowed him to proceed along his chosen career path. "The WHS staff was very competent and dedicated to providing an environment conducive to the learning process." Stan singles out two Woodward High School teachers as his favorites. "William F. Rohr was very interested in engineering, which was, even then,

my desired profession. He was also responsible for getting me a scholarship at the University of Toledo. Belle Joseph was instrumental in providing me with the background in mathematics, which I needed to succeed in my chosen profession."

Stan worked hard at Woodward . . . he was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated as Class Valedictorian. His "straight A" academic record was flawed by only one "B", which was in World History during his senior year. But that did not sit well with one of his best friends, Jameel Farah (aka Jamie Farr). "Jameel solicited our teacher to reconsider her decision so as not to blemish my record. His request was denied, but his unsolicited effort on my behalf will live forever in my memory."

Stan's many friends at Woodward called him Stas' (pronounced "Stash"), which is Polish for Stan. Those friends included Robert Tillotson, Jack Renz, Jameel "Jamie" Farr, Frances Mrozek, Joan Burgoon and his cousins, Richard and Ted Obertacz.

Stan earned a Bachelor's Degree (Cum Laude) in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toledo. He then took a position at Owens Illinois Glass Company, as a Forming Machine Development Engineer. Stan left Owens Illinois to pursue a Masters degree at UT and taught there part-time while doing so. After receiving his Masters, he accepted an appointment as a full-time instructor in the College of Engineering.

In 1963, Stan began working for Sandia National Laboratories, a company for which he worked until 1994. Sandia is a national security laboratory operated for the U.S. Department of Energy. They design all non-nuclear components for the nation's nuclear weapons, perform a wide variety of energy research and development projects, and work on assignments that respond to national security threats-both military and economic. The only "break in service" from Sandia was in 1967, when he worked for Radio Corporation of America (RCA) for one year, solving mechanical problems associated with the development and manufacturing of color picture tubes.

Stan's work at Sandia was in a variety of positions, which included the management of multi-million dollar programs, from both technical and financial standpoints, many of which were related to nuclear weaponry. His work included planning environmental tests on various mechanical devices employed in nuclear weapons; performing static and dynamic analyses on weapons systems and subsystems; structural design and analysis of parachute systems used both to decelerate weapons systems during release from aircraft and to recover Space Shuttle Booster Rockets; mechanical design and development of the nuclear payload for the Pershing II missile system; budgeting and interface coordination with the Navy and various missile contractors (such as Martin, Marietta, and Boeing); activities to advance the state-of-the-art in the area of earth penetrator weapons; and development of a new aircraft carrier weapon system for the Navy. Since 1983, Stan acted in a supervisory capacity over technical staff working on many of these complex projects. His final assignment was Manager of the Business Practices Department of Sandia's Environmental Test Directorate. In this position, he was able to significantly impact cost recovery for service centers throughout the Corporation. Stan retired in 1995.

Stan is married to Patricia and has two children, Douglas and Kellie, and two grandchildren, Briana and Emily. Stan and Patricia reside in Grand Junction, Colorado. They golf frequently, which is not surprising, since Stan lettered in golf at Woodward High School. They also enjoy traveling, both within the United States and abroad. Other things occupying Stan's time are yard work, investing, dining with friends, and fishing.

When notified that he had been elected into the Woodward High School Hall of Fame, Stan was pleased. "But I'm not sure I deserve this honor. I try not to live in the past. I have experienced many things, both personally and professionally, which at the time seemed important and challenging. In retrospect, I do not view my accomplishments as very significant and was therefore reluctant to submit my resume. I wish to thank Jack Renz for continually prodding me to apply for this honor."

Stan, we beg to differ with you as to the significance of your accomplishments. Although much of your work for the Government has been "top secret," it is NO SECRET that we are proud of you and all that you've done to bring honor to Woodward High School!