Wayne Meyer, 59, RIP

21 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

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  wheels on February 11 at 9:00 a.m.

  Idaho could use more citizen legislators with the caring and common sense approach that defined Wayne.Never one to be “politically correct” his presence will be sorely missed.My condolences to the family.RIP Wayne.

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  bondgirl on February 11 at 9:05 a.m.

  My condolences to the Meyer family- Wayne will be missed- I really liked sitting down and talking with him - he was very open and caring and a really really great guy! God Bless his family!

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  danofthecommunity on February 11 at 9:25 a.m.

  Always positive and a gentleman, one of the few where the term Statesman truly applied.

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  Arch_Druid on February 11 at 9:31 a.m.

  I figured that it was a pure shame that radical Phil Hart beat out Wayne Meyer. Idaho had a far better rep with Meyer than Hart.

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  JesseTinsley on February 11 at 9:41 a.m.

  Wayne was a real Idaho gentleman. He and Karleen are some of my favorite people.

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  JohnA on February 11 at 9:44 a.m.

  Wayne was a great legislator but an even better person. Phil Hart was able to capitalize on the single issue of field burning to defeat him in 2004, but Wayne still represented north Idaho well in his other endeavors. My condolences to his family and friends.

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  ShawnKeough on February 11 at 10:31 a.m.

  Wayne was in the legislature when I was first elected and set an example of fairness that I try to follow. Even when we were on opposite sides of an issue he was always fair. Wayne also should be recognized for his work to elevate professional technical education in Idaho. There are several statues in place that assist local school districts in their efforts - should they undertake them - to launch, grow and fund professional technical education for our high school kids and in particular those almost 70 % that do not go on to college. He is missed and my thoughts and prayers are with the family.

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  christiewood on February 11 at 11:17 a.m.

  I attended and graduated from Lakeland High School with several members of the the Meyer family. I have known them for years. They are the “salt of the earth”. Wayne and his brothers have been so generous and visionary in their dealings with NIC over the Prairie land purchase. Students will benefit from their generosity for many years to come.
  Wayne will always have a legacy in North Idaho. May he rest in peace.

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  MikeK on February 11 at 12:33 p.m.

  I was very sad to hear this news this morning. My interactions with Wayne go back to when he first ran for and won his seat in the legislature. I was supporting his opponent, though I didn’t live in that district. Over the years I’ve had many chances to interact with Wayne, especially in the last few when we sat on a few panels together and had occasion to meet socially. I found him to be a sincere, honorable, and polite guy through and through, even though he knew I was on the other side of the political boat than he was. In fact, we agreed on more than we didn’t when we did talk politics - Wayne was a pragmatic centrist. His status as a grass farmer made it politically tough for him when the powers that be came after him, but he stood his ground defending the farmers and agree with him or not, you had to respect him. It’s a thorny issue, but years from now a lot of folks who wanted the grass burning completely stopped might wish it was different if the Prairie gets completely paved over. Wayne will be missed and my thoughts go out to Karleen.

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  Bent on February 11 at 2:41 p.m.

  I had the opportunity to ride along with Wayne in a combine for day while he harvested grass seed. It was one of the most memorable days in my early career as a journalist. Wayne also helped me many times with public policy issues in my current career. I’ll always remember him fondly and I will keep his family in my prayers, as I know how much he loved them… what a terrible, terrible loss…

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  Arpie on February 11 at 2:53 p.m.

  Wayne Meyer was known as the Huckleberry Hound in the Idaho Legislature when he carried my students’ bill to make the huckleberry the state fruit. He was a joy to work with. My students gave him a copy of Huckleberry Finn as a thank you, signed by the whole class.

  I also remember being madder at him than I ever have been at a public hearing on air quality. I remember saying some pointed words. He took them with equanimity even though I tried to get a rise out of him. He was a strong advocate for his cause, but willing to listen to opposition- an admirable trait. I’m glad for the decreased burning on the prairie he worked so hard to keep going even stronger.

  I’m sorry to hear of his passing.

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