Harry M. Meyers, Jr. (October 19, 2009)

Harry M. Meyers Jr., 93, of Elkins Park, a sales executive and former camp director, died Oct. 19 at Rydal Park nursing home in Rydal of complications after a heart attack. Mr. Meyers grew up in eastern Montgomery County and attended Kennebec, a boys summer camp in North Belgrade, Maine. In 1960 he became a Kennebec camp director and for the next 25 summers, as “Uncle Harry,” he ran the junior program centered on American Indian lore, camping, sports, crafts, and dramatics, his son Hank said. After he retired as a director in 1985, he continued to be a camp adviser. Mr. Meyers graduated from Cheltenham High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va. He was a member of the school’s ROTC and Corps of Cadets, and commanded its marching band, the Highty-Tighties. During World War II, Mr. Meyers served in the Army. He saw action in North Africa, Italy, and southern France, where he was awarded a Bronze Star for “meritorious action in ground operations against the enemy.”After his discharge, he joined his brother, Martin, at Martin Meyers Co., a supplier of promotional items such as pens and calendars printed with company logos. The firm later merged with Geiger Bros. He retired in 1995. For 10 years, Mr. Meyers was a docent at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. His specialty was Egyptian culture. He served on the board of the Opera Company of Philadelphia and performed in minor roles. It was amusing to see an 85-year-old guard on stage, his son said. In addition to his son, Mr. Meyers is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lois Hirsch Meyers; a son, Gene; stepchildren Robert Lehman Jr. and Suzy Lehman; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His first wife, Phyllis Anathan Meyers, died in 1956.A memorial service was Oct. 31 at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowney@phillynews.com.