Cooper Institute Mourns Passing of Chief Executive Officer
View All Section Pages
09/24/2012
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Fred Meyer, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer of The Cooper Institute. Fred died from complications of Myelodysplasia on Sept. 24, 2012. He was 84.
Fred had climbed the height of Mt. Rainier and run the distance of the Boston Marathon, but his favorite distance was the short distance between himself and others.
“We are saddened by the loss of Fred. He was a true leader at The Cooper Institute and a trusted advisor and friend.” said Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH. “Fred has been part of our organization since its start. He was instrumental in securing the funding to open Cooper Aerobics™ and has been there every step of the way. Fred was an eternal optimist with boundless energy, even holding work meetings in his final days. He will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm and his love of people from all walks of life.”
Fred has served as Chief Executive Officer of The Cooper Institute since 2007. During this time The Cooper Institute continued to make an impact in preventive medicine research and effective learning programs.
“Fred’s legacy will live on in our work as we continue to translate the findings from research into meaningful practice for current and future generations,” says Tedd Mitchell, MD, Chairman of the Board of The Cooper Institute. “Under his leadership, children in 70 percent of all U.S. schools have participated in the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM®, a program designed to instill healthy living behaviors and reduce childhood obesity. And, through adult education programs countless fitness and health professionals have been trained to take the message of good health back to their communities.”
Fred and his wife, Barbara, have been married for 59 years and have raised three children. They have five grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate Meyer’s life will be held at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 at 3:00 p.m.
Please visit www.cooperinstitute.org/fredmeyer to view a tribute video and share your memories of Fred.