C. Douglas Meinhardi

Caesar Douglas Meinhardi was a bright, energized man who spent himself for others. As a devoted husband, caring son and nephew, and an effective supervisor, he was successful in work and life. For all his career advances, he never skimped on time with family and among the beauties of nature. His church was the great outdoors, and Doug was never happier than when he was in his boat with his best friend and fishing buddy, wife Marilyn. Doug was born in Muskegon, Michigan soon after America was drawn into World War II. Families had come through the challenges of economic depression with a strong work ethic and even as war began, the nation pulled together to make life as good as they could for their children. One such family was Caesar Junior and Helen Elaine (Bahr) Meinhardi, who welcomed their first child on August 25, 1942 and named him Caesar Douglas. Doug, as he was called, was a big brother to the twins, Terrance and Constance, and his youngest brother John. Supported by their mother, a nurse, and their father, a city employee at the wastewater treatment plant, the children attended Bunker School and grew up in the Lakeside neighborhood of Muskegon on Bourdon Street. They enjoyed a childhood rich with recreation that surrounds the Great Lakes of Michigan. Doug learned to fish from his dad and spent many hours throwing out a line from a simple row boat. He helped his dad build a small cottage on Little Silver Lake just north of Muskegon, and the family created wonderful memories each summer they spent at the lake. Doug graduated from Muskegon High School in 1961 and was eager to explore the world. He joined the Navy shortly after graduation and became a guided missile technician. While he was stationed on the destroyer USS Dewey out of Norfolk, Virginia and deployed to the South Pacific, Dougs mother often wrote letters to him. But when she had surgery and was unable to write for a time, she asked a pretty hospital nurse, Marilyn Foy, to write to Doug for her. Originally from the Upper Peninsula, Marilyn was a student nurse at the time she met Mrs. Meinhardi and began writing Doug. Through those letters, the two young people developed a relationship that grew deeply. When Doug returned home on leave, they finally met in person and knew they were made for each other. They shared many of the same interests, and when Marilyn fell in love, she knew she was committing to a kind and gentle man, who had a good sense of humor, was an avid reader and a constant learner. The loving couple married on March 12, 1966 in Muskegon but settled in Norfolk while Doug finished his commitment to the Navy. In 1967, they moved back to Muskegon, and Doug began course work at Muskegon Community College. His short term plans were soon interrupted when he applied for and was offered a job with the AC Nielsen Company, a television rating business. The position required that he move to Pasadena, California, where he and Marilyn lived until 1977 when they returned to Muskegon to help take care of their aging parents. After a few years, Doug and Marilyn moved to Lansing, Michigan when he was hired as a district manager for the Bell & Howell Company that did computer maintenance for many large companies around the state. Doug was very good at his job and managed people well. Though the company was bought and sold several times and changed names, Doug stayed with them for 23 years until retiring in 2000. During his tenure with the company, Doug was often rewarded for his hard work with all expense-paid trips, and he and Marilyn traveled to destinations like Germany, Austria and Hawaii, to name a few. Their favorite tripone they paid for themselveswas a cruise and land trip to the pristine state of Alaska. With Dougs management job and Marilyns work as a critical care nurse, the two of them afforded a comfortable lifestyle that enabled them to travel whenever they got the urge. At home, Doug was quite a handyman, fixing items around the house and always working on a project or two. But his real passion was fishing, and his best fishing partner was his wife. Together they went on an annual fishing trip to Canada and others to the Upper Peninsula, their all time favorite spot. With an 18-foot Lund fishing boat, kept at Great Lakes Marina and all decked out with downriggers and equipment, they cruised the lakes of Michigan in search of walleye. Settling into retirement with his wife and best friend was a delight that Doug never took for granted. In 2004, Doug and Marilyn moved back to Muskegon so they could help care for his Aunt Helen. Such commitment was consistent with Dougs love of family. Throughout his life, he kept a close relationship with his brothers and sister and other members of his family. They returned his love with deep devotion and care through the challenges of life. In 2010, Doug began to have issues with his health and, very sadly, was diagnosed with cancer. He fought the disease hard, going through several rounds of chemotherapy treatment with Marilyn caring for him all the way. Eventually the disease became too much, and Doug died on Wednesday January 19, 2011. Doug will be remembered for his generous heart, selfless care and joyful love of life. Mr. C. Douglas Meinhardi, age 68, is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marilyn; sister, Constance (Robert) Wortman of Muskegon; brother, John (Amy) Meinhardi of Grand Rapids; aunt, Helen Jean Meinhardi Arntz; uncle, Robert (Helen) Bahr; 2 nieces and 2 nephews; many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Terry. Funeral service: Monday, January 24, 2011, 11:00 AM at the Clock ChapelMuskegon with Rev. Fr. Phil Salmonowicz officiating. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. Visitation: Sunday, 2-5 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral HomeMuskegon. Memorials may be made to St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church. Please visit www.clockfuneral home.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.