MEYERS James B. 1950-2010 Jim, as he was known by his many friends, was an imposing figure. At 6' 4" tall and well over 300 pounds, he could have been a professional football player but instead became a world-class computer scientist and technical manager. Although Jim had multiple degrees from several universities, including a BS in Geology, an MS in Geochemistry, and an MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Toledo, Ohio, his greatest accomplishment was in bringing a team together and getting them to perform extraordinary feats. Jim started his career in 1976 at Raytheon in Bedford, MA, leading the team that developed simulation software for the Patriot missile. Following a short stint at RCA, he moved to Sanders and began what became a thirty-year relationship with Lockheed Martin. When there was a major program that needed top-notch leadership, they sent Jim. He managed major programs in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Virginia. His teams ranged from 25 to 2,500 people and his last major program was winning and running the FBI's $300 million dollar Sentinel program, providing critical information to 30,000 law enforcement personnel. Jim, ultimately, was as much a family man as a consummate executive. His wife of over 30 years, Robbin, was his true soul mate, who he lost to Leukemia two years ago after a long battle with the disease. He has had a close relationship with his sister, Maureen, one year his senior since they lived in Toledo and for several years in New Hampshire. When Maureen and her husband, Terry, moved to Virginia's Eastern Shore, they were delighted that Jim and Robbin purchased the waterfront lot next door and Jim has lived there for the last two years. In addition to boating, he was Treasurer of the local SPCA and loved his four dogs and three cats. It is a sad irony that, following a low-key celebration of his 60th birthday on February 18th, he had severe head and back pains and drove himself to the hospital at about 2:30 am that same night. He called Maureen at 5:30 am to let us know he was in the hospital. His condition, which the doctors were unable to definitively diagnose but suspected might be an aortic aneurism, was severe enough that an air ambulance was called to take him to a Norfolk hospital. Maureen got there in time to have fifteen minutes with Jim. As he was being put on the gurney for the short trip to the helicopter he experienced a terminal seizure from which he could not be resuscitated. Although we are deeply affected by his loss, he is reunited with Robbin and free from pain. His wishes were to be cremated and we will hold a memorial service with refreshments for him and distribute his ashes at our house at 4375 White Tail Lane in Machipongo, VA on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 4:00 p.m.
Donald Stevens
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/toledoblade/name/james-meyers-obituary?id=26089704
Donald Stevens
MEYERS James B. 1950-2010 Jim, as he was known by his many friends, was an imposing figure. At 6' 4" tall and well over 300 pounds, he could have been a professional football player but instead became a world-class computer scientist and technical manager. Although Jim had multiple degrees from several universities, including a BS in Geology, an MS in Geochemistry, and an MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Toledo, Ohio, his greatest accomplishment was in bringing a team together and getting them to perform extraordinary feats. Jim started his career in 1976 at Raytheon in Bedford, MA, leading the team that developed simulation software for the Patriot missile. Following a short stint at RCA, he moved to Sanders and began what became a thirty-year relationship with Lockheed Martin. When there was a major program that needed top-notch leadership, they sent Jim. He managed major programs in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Virginia. His teams ranged from 25 to 2,500 people and his last major program was winning and running the FBI's $300 million dollar Sentinel program, providing critical information to 30,000 law enforcement personnel. Jim, ultimately, was as much a family man as a consummate executive. His wife of over 30 years, Robbin, was his true soul mate, who he lost to Leukemia two years ago after a long battle with the disease. He has had a close relationship with his sister, Maureen, one year his senior since they lived in Toledo and for several years in New Hampshire. When Maureen and her husband, Terry, moved to Virginia's Eastern Shore, they were delighted that Jim and Robbin purchased the waterfront lot next door and Jim has lived there for the last two years. In addition to boating, he was Treasurer of the local SPCA and loved his four dogs and three cats. It is a sad irony that, following a low-key celebration of his 60th birthday on February 18th, he had severe head and back pains and drove himself to the hospital at about 2:30 am that same night. He called Maureen at 5:30 am to let us know he was in the hospital. His condition, which the doctors were unable to definitively diagnose but suspected might be an aortic aneurism, was severe enough that an air ambulance was called to take him to a Norfolk hospital. Maureen got there in time to have fifteen minutes with Jim. As he was being put on the gurney for the short trip to the helicopter he experienced a terminal seizure from which he could not be resuscitated. Although we are deeply affected by his loss, he is reunited with Robbin and free from pain. His wishes were to be cremated and we will hold a memorial service with refreshments for him and distribute his ashes at our house at 4375 White Tail Lane in Machipongo, VA on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 4:00 p.m.