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A Tribute to Leo Meyer
Submitted by Art Larson
Chabot College
Leo Meyer was an extraordinary person. He was a dedicated teacher,
administrator, writer, publisher, consultant, business man, artist,
family man, colleague and friend.
Leo came to Chabot College in 1963 as the first Dean of Technical
Vocational Programs.
He led the development of instructional programs which continue in
the current curriculum of the college. He brought to the College an
exemplary experience as a high school teacher, junior college
instructor, and university instructor. He was a brilliant far
sighted educator and a friend to many different interests and
orientations in the community. In his quiet and caring way he stood
firm for the inclusion of Technical Vocational Programs in the
fabric of the college curriculum and for the adherence to high
levels of quality within them.
Leo left Chabot College in 1970 to start his own business, Leo A
Meyer Associates, to do technical writing, typesetting and book
preparation for organizations related with various trades. When he
decided to write and publish his own books he changed the name of
the business to LAMA Books. Leo, however, never really left Chabot
College for he maintained many ties and contacts, and was always
ready to support the college and its personnel when needed.
His major field of interest, preparation and expertise was with the
building trades and industry. His own specialty related with sheet
metal and other technical metals. During WWII, Leo joined the United
States Navy as a Metalsmith and served as a member of the Seebees
in New Guinea and other areas in the South Pacific. Leo was
committed to career building programs in technical vocational
education and apprenticeship training. He wrote and published over
100 textbooks, training manuals, workbooks and instructor manuals,
CDs, and other instructional aids. He published an annual directory
of the Technical Vocational Instructional Programs offered by the
community colleges in California. He also produced instructional
materials that supported the Reading and Writing classes offered by
the Language Arts Division. Because of his skill as a teacher, he
was asked to conduct teacher training classes at the University of
California in Berkeley and at Ohio State University.
Leo was a kind, quiet, caring, loyal and generous person with a
quick sense of humor. He was a respected colleague with all who
served with him. Leo was a close and treasured friend to many with
whom he enjoyed many social and relaxing occasions. Leo was an avid
reader. He cared greatly for his family. He and Ellie, before their
deaths, were each dedicated patrons of the arts. They loved
classical music, fine art and sculpture. Leo was a talented artist
in metal and wood with special talent as a woodcarver creating many
beautiful pieces especially the front door of his home. He found
much pleasure and happiness with his dogs, always black Labradors,
and from his garden which was landscaped in a Japanese style with a
beautiful koi pond. It was truly a serene retreat that was enjoyed
by all who visited there.
LEO WILL BE MISSED BUT HIS LEGACY WILL ENDURE
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