Jeff Meyer
Technology Wing
in the Joyce Etulain Library
On
October 11th, 1995, the Georgia O’Keeffe community lost a good friend, Jeff
Meyer.
Jeff,
a physicist at Sandia National Laboratories, exemplified Sandia’s motto of
providing “Exceptional Service in the National Interest.” He was highly
regarded by his peers as a visionary and as a pillar of ethical and moral
strength. Jeff had a gift for being able to work with people at all levels.
Above all, he was known as a talented problem solver on a never-ending search
for answers.
Jeff
was a firm believer in the practice of enriching children’s lives. As a result,
he was a frequent visitor to our school. Jeff loved to look at the beautiful
faces of the students who were so eager to learn and the teachers who helped
them on their way to success. He especially enjoyed his family’s involvement in
the school Library. After his death, many people inquired about some sort of a
memorial to Jeff.
At
a meeting between Joyce Etulain (the school librarian at that time), Jeff’s
family, and some of his friends, it was decided to convert an area of the Library
into a state-of-the-art technology room as a memorial to Jeff. The community
was very generous. During Spring Break in 1996, a large storage room and
hallway next to the Library were converted into a technology area by removing a
wall, painting, and adding carpeting, wiring, and cabinets. Upon completion of
the new area, computers, a memorial plaque, and a photo of the family were
added. And the Jeff Meyer Technology Wing was born.
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The
dedication of the Jeff Meyer Technology Wing was held on the evening of May
7th, 1996. Family, friends, colleagues, and members of the Georgia O’Keeffe
community filled the Library with quiet anticipation. Friends of the Library
provided beautiful flowers and delicious refreshments.
Mrs.
Etulain welcomed all the guests, introduced members of the Meyer family, and
spoke about her memories of Jeff. Jeff’s two young daughters cut a ribbon,
which officially opened the Wing. After a time of silent reflection on Jeff’s
traits and values as noted on his memorial plaque -- searcher, visionary, wise,
creative, honorable, spirited, courageous, humorous, leader, loving, friend,
loyal, humane, family -- the memorial plaque was lighted.
Several
people spoke: Jeff’s father, brother, and older daughter, as well as the
principal of Georgia O’Keeffe, Nicolette Dennis. After the speeches the guests
assembled outdoors to watch Jeff’s daughters release 52 colored balloons -- one
for each year of Jeff’s life – as symbols of innocence, childhood, and joy.
Finally, the guests reassembled in the Library to enjoy the refreshments and
conversation.
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Jeff
Meyer touched many lives while he was alive, and through the Jeff Meyer
Technology Wing he continues to touch the lives of the many children who use it
today. The Wing is a part of Jeff’s legacy to the world.
It
is hoped that this webpage will inform those who benefit from the Jeff Meyer
Technology Wing about the man who inspired it. It is also hoped that as each
generation of O’Keeffe students learns about Jeff and how the Wing came about,
they will will absorb Jeff’s ideals and be encouraged to become learners and
searchers themselves, and to do what they can to make this world a little bit
better, a little bit safer, and a littler bit kinder – just as Jeff Meyer did.
Jeff's Family at the Dedication of
the Techonology Wing
A Photo of Balloons at the Dedication Ceremony.
The Jeff Meyer Technology Wing in 1996
The Jeff Meyer Technology Wing now
