Meyer, Lee J.

Lee J. Meyer
Architect, 75 passed away Friday May 9, 2008, after a short illness.
Obituary from the Savannah Morning News
Savannah - Lee J. Meyer, Architect, 75 passed away Friday May 9, 2008, after a short illness. Mr. Meyer was born in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Aaron and Mirella Meyer and came to Savannah in 1954 as a Staff Sergeant with the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Meyer received the Von Barclam Scholarship for Sculpture from Washington University, an Associate of Arts Degree from Armstrong Junior College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Architecture from the University of Florida, where he was President of the student chapter of the AIA (American Institute of Architects), a member of the Gargoyle Honorary Fraternity of the College of Architecture, and a member of the Florida Blue Key Speaker Bureau. He also received the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for Leadership and Service.
Later, Mr. Meyer was appointed Guild Architect and Lecturer in Historic Preservation at the University of Florida and lectured at many other academic institutions as well. In practice since 1966 as a licensed architect in Savannah, Mr. Meyer sought to promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the architecture profession and produced a distinguished body of work that has been recognized nationally for its contribution to historic preservation and society. My. Meyer co-authored the original Historic Zoning Ordinance for the City of Savannah - the regulatory guide for construction in the Historic District. As architect for the Savannah Landmark Rehabilitation Project, Mr. Meyer oversaw the conservation and restoration of many historic buildings in Savannah's Victorian District - the largest single project of its kind at the time.
In 1979, Mr. Meyer readapted the Volunteer Guard Building for the newly formed Savannah College of Art and Design. He acted as chief architect for numerous additional SCAD properties, including the Jen Library, Eichberg Hall, and Trustees Theater. Mr. Meyer became nationally known for his expertise in colonial era tabby preservation for his restoration of the Slave Hospital Ruins in St. Simons Island. His efforts were subsequently documented in "The Conservation and Preservation of Tabby", which remains a fundamental reference today. Mr. Meyer's practice was denoted by contributions to several outstanding community advocacy projects, including the Midtown Neighborhood Association, the Beach Institute Museum renovation for the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation, the Haitian Monument and the Steamship Savannah Monument on River Street. Mr. Meyer was the lead architect for two city blocks on Savannah's Broughton Street redevelopment plan and designed the River Street Market Place, one of his favorite projects. Mr. Meyer's practice was unique in its strong commitment to architectural apprenticeship, with former students receiving positions of influence and authority within the field of architecture, including Executive Directorship(s) at the San Francisco Architectural Heritage Society, the City of Charleston Historic Preservation Department, and the State of Maryland Historic Trust.
Mr. Meyer's numerous professional awards included the Historic Savannah Foundation Award for the Savannah Landmark Rehabilitation Project, Historic Preservation Awards from the Historic Savannah Foundation for First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall and Steeple in Savannah, the Governor's Honor Award for the Phoenix Hotel Faxade restoration in Waycross, Georgia, the International Deco Defender Award for the Streamliner Diner restoration for the Savannah College of Art and Design, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Award for the Visitors Center in Kingsland, Georgia, the National Historic Preservation Award for his work on SCAD's Preston Hall in Savannah, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Award for his tabby restoration at Retreat Plantation on St. Simons Island, and the AIA Honor Award for Excellence in Urban Design in for his work on the SCAD City Campus in Savannah.
Mr. Meyer's commitment to the betterment of his fellow man was exemplified by his tireless and devoted community and professional service. Over the years, he was the first President of the Savannah Housing and Development Corporation, Vice President of the Retarded Children's Association of Chatham County, participated in Leadership Savannah, and served on the AIA Committee on Historic Resources. Mr. Meyer was a board member of the Chatham County Nursing Home Authority, a member of the City of Savannah Historic Review Board, a past president of the Savannah Zoological Society, a member of the Society of Architectural Historians, an Advisory Board Member for the Savannah College of Art and Design, a Board Member for the Mental Health Coalition of Savannah, a Charter Member of the Roof Consultants Institute Charter, President of the Toastmaster's International Savannah Chapter, a board member of the Beach Institute / King-Tisdale Cottage Foundation, President of the South Georgia Chapter, a Board Member for the Georgia Association of Architects, a Board Member and later Executive Member, Secretary, and Vice-Chair of the Savannah Chatham County Metropolitan Planning Commission. Mr. Meyer was twice President of the Armstrong State College Alumni Association in 1965 and held long-standing memberships in the Toastmasters International, National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the Georgia Historical Society, and the Coastal Heritage Society. Mr. Meyer sailed with his son Sammy in 1983 on the United States Coast Guard "Eagle" Tall Ship from New London, Connecticut to Curtis Bay, Maryland. A long-time member of the US Propeller Club Savannah Chapter, Mr. Meyer was the Propeller Club Person of the Year in 2004 and was most recently elected to the 2008 Board of Directors.
A strong supporter of the Polish community in Savannah, Mr. Meyer served as a Vice President of the General Pulaski Heritage Association and was the first citizen of the State of Georgia to visit the birthplace of General Kazimierz Pulaski representing the late Honorable Ben Fortson, Secretary of State of Georgia, and presenting the Bicentennial Medal to the Mayor of the City of Warka, Poland. Mr. Meyer served as co-chair of "Pulaski 2004", spearheading a seven year preservation effort to restore Savannah's 150 year-old Pulaski Monument. He received international recognition from the President of Poland in 2004 when he was awarded Poland's "Cavalier Cross Order of Merit". He was also awarded the "Amicus Poloniae" (Friend of Poland) by Janusz Reiter, Poland's Ambassador to the United States.
Recently, Mr. Meyer received recognition by the American Council for Polish Culture for his dedication to the memory of General Pulaski. Mr. Meyer was a long-time member of the congregation of B'Nai B'rith Jacob and past officer of the B'nai Brith Jacob Brotherhood and past member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Education Alliance. He is past-president of HGH Benevolent Society and the architect/designer of Agudath Achim Synagogue. Lee was the beloved husband of Barbara Portman Meyer for 51 years, loving father of Captain Samuel J. Meyer, Tami Meyer Smith and son-in-law Phillip Smith, and Peri Meyer Kyriacos and son-in-law Demetre Kyriacos.
He was "Poppa" to his adoring grandchildren Amber A. Smith, Jade M. Smith, Tiffany P. Smith, Benjamin S. Smith and Leita K. Kyriacos. Brother to Barbara M. Platke of St. Louis, Missouri and Julius M. Meyer of Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Meyer has numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins, special clients and close friends living in the United States and Poland. Funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock Monday morning in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service conducted by Rabbi Avigdor Slatus. Interment will be in Bonaventure Cemetery.
Remembrances: National Multiple Sclerosis Society Research Fund

From: Savannah Morning News (2008)

Lee Mayer, placing a wreath on the marker at the Savannah Battlefield Park October 2007