Eugene Peter ‘Ticket’ Meyers, 90
Eugene Peter “Ticket” Meyers, 90, died at his home in Hope, Idaho surrounded by his family and loved ones on Monday, August 4, 2020.
Eugene was born on August 22, 1929 to Harry and Ruby Meyers in Chicago at the Swedish Covenant Hospital in the middle of four sisters whom he teased incessantly.
Eugene served in the US Army from 1949 to 1952. He was primarily stationed in Vienna, Austria when that city was governed by four powers: British, French, Soviet and the USA. He returned to Chicago after being discharged, but his love of adventure and desire for further education brought him to Idaho. He attended the University of Idaho with partial financial support due to his military service. He further financed his education through the challenge of logging. With the love of the outdoors he chose Geology for a career and graduated with a BSc in Geology in 1963.
During his early time in Idaho, Eugene married Mary Profit of Orofino, Idaho and they had five children; David (1957), Daniel (1959), Brian (1961), Joseph (1962), and Evelyn (1964). That marriage ended in 1970.
Eugene’s Geology work included the Sunshine Mines in Kellogg, ID and another in Metaline Falls. He then moved to Canada where used his talents in “hard rock mining” in British Columbia, the Precambrian Shield of Saskatchewan, and Gold Mining in the North West Territories. Often isolated in his work in the Territories, with his indomitable spirit he braved the winter frosts and spring breakups to drain and restart an underground gold mine. He also became a USA/Canadian dual citizen.
Eugene met Marlene in 1973 during the Calgary Stampede. They married in 1975.
Marlene had three children whom he adopted; Lori (1965), Lisa (1967) and Dean (1971). This blended family have together enjoyed laughter, adventure, playing and a love of physical fitness, inspired by their dad. Eugene was active his entire life. Many of his friends were decades younger as they were the ones that could keep up with him in his love of sports. At the age of 89, he met his Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis by doing sit-ups and pushups in the park with a vow to beat the Cancer. When he died his Cancer was not the cause.
Volunteer work included Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels and St. Joseph’s Church Food Bank. He also accompanied his wife Marlene to Guyana, South America under the auspices of Canadian Executive Services to advise that country of their Gold Deposits along the Venezuela Border.
Retiring in Canada, Gene and Marlene decided to move to vacation locations that their children and their families would wish to visit for joy. Scottsdale, AZ for the warmth of the winter and the Hope, ID Peninsula for their lakeside play.
In Hope, they have hosted Bi-annual Meyers Family Reunions that have brought together their various extended families from across the continent to enjoy the beautiful Lake Pend Oreille sunsets and build a lifetime of memories of laughter, water games and shenanigans. Gene taught his family to love, laugh and play hard. He never tasted a Cabernet he did not like and he never lost a tennis or softball game with his kids and grandkids (or any game for that matter as he was the only one calling the shots).
Eugene and Marlene travelled extensively to various Continents in their retirement years, often with their children, and shared many fond memories together in their joint passion for the zest of life. Eugene was dearly loved by his surviving wife, children, grandchildren (16) great grandchildren (12) and many friends that he has met over his long, brave life.
Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or Doctors Without Borders.
Eugene will be laid to rest in the Hope Cemetery. Private family graveside services will be held with a Celebration of Life to follow.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Eugene’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.
