Richard L. Mayer
It is with great sadness and loss that we announce the passing of Dr. Richard L. Mayer on Nov. 13,2021. He was born on Oct. 25, 1925, in Elkhart, IN to Sylvia and Carl Mayer. He died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes at the age of 96.
He was a WWII veteran. He served in the Army Air Corps as a pilot (1944-46). He was stationed at Garner Airfield, TX in the 3rd Army Air Force. He served stateside to protect the homeland.
After the war, he was accepted at Illinois College of Optometry and became an optometrist. It was in Chicago that he met the love of his life, Doris, who was a nursing student at Michael Reese Hospital. They were married in Chicago in 1948. They moved to Hobart, IN to begin his optometric practice which continued for 40 years. He retired from optometry in 1989 and bought a home in Las Vegas. He & Doris became snowbirds for 10 years. They traveled between Las Vegas & IN having a blast. They finally retired to Las Vegas permanently when Doris could no longer travel.
He was a founding member and president of the Hobart Jaycees and served 2 years on the Hobart City Council. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and Fraternal Order of Elks. The last few years he was attending Community Lutheran Church of Las Vegas. Early in life he enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, woodworking and later loved investing in the stock market on his computer.
He was preceded in death by his wife Doris, sister Betty Drake, brother Jack Mayer and grandson Keegan Garber. He is survived by son Rick (Jennie), daughter Vicki (Edward), great-grandson Anakin Garber, several nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews and their families.
Dr. Mayer will be interred at the VA cemetery in Boulder City, NV on Tues. Jan. 4th , 2022. A service celebrating his life will begin at 12:40 pm in the chapel. He will be laid to rest next to his wife Doris. All family & friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to American Diabetes Association, Illinois College of Optometry or Community Lutheran Church of Las Vegas.
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Our sympathy goes out to the families of Richard L. Mayer. He was our dear uncle. We were so proud to have him as part of our family. His love of his family, friends and faith kept him strong throughout his 96 years. Swimming as well a various other exercises kept him physically strong and his love of technology kept his brain alert until he passed away. He was a role model and will be missed so much. May he rest in peace. Love, Peg, Jim and James Adamitis