Drew Alden Meyer, 1943-2024

Drew Meyer, the 2012 SME President, passed away suddenly at his home in Birmingham, Alabama on Nov. 13, 2024, at the age of 81. Meyer was born on Oct. 28, 1943, in Hershey, PA. He chose The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) for his college education, wanting a larger school, and planned to major in chemistry. A counselor recognized his verbal and technical skills and directed him into mineral economics; while the program had existed for some time, students had transferred in from other majors but Meyer became the first full-time freshman admitted. ROTC was mandatory at the time for male students and when Meyer graduated in 1965, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was not called up immediately and chose to continue his studies, receiving his M.S. degree in 1966. Advised that he would not be called to active duty for another six months, he was hired by Vulcan Materials to replace some of their staff serving in the U.S. Armed Forces — that became a career with Vulcan that lasted 39 years. Meyer served in the U.S. Army Forces in Germany and then Vietnam, assigned to the 4th PSYOP Group. After his tour of duty, he returned to Vulcan in marketing, a role he continued to fill through his tenure, serving as a vice present in various capacities from 1984 until retirement in 2007, including a two-year stint in Kuwait. His passion for both mineral economics and the aggregates industry included his long service with the National Aggregates Association, where he rose to vice chair before the 2001 merger with the National Stone Association to form the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). His contributions there were recognized by appointment in 2004 as an honorary lifetime NSSGA board member. SME awards A Legion of Honor member of SME, Meyer joined in college (although he noted he did not get his copy of Mining Engineering in either Germany or Vietnam). He regularly attended the SME annual meetings for aggregates programming and was asked by Mike Karmis (2002 SME President) to develop a more formal SME aggregates presence; that request led to the Construction Materials & Aggregates Committee, which was later merged with what is now the Industrial Minerals & Aggregates Division. That effort was recognized when he received a 2002 President’s Citation Award and the 2010 SME/AIME Hal Williams Hardinge Award, where his citation reads: “For his outstanding contributions to and visionary leadership of the aggregates industry and for his relentless efforts to make SME and the SME Foundation better and stronger organizations.” 2012 SME President With service on numerous other SME committees, including the SME Board of Directors, he was nominated and elected to be SME President in 2012, where he worked tirelessly to advance outreach of SME to its members. His extensive industry contacts helped expand SME’s presence within the sand and gravel industry, which operates the majority of the mines in this country. Meyer believed deeply in the necessity of the SME Foundation to support the growth and development of SME. He served on the board of trustees for multiple terms and as the vice president for seven years, from 2002 to 2009. He and his wife Dixie further supported the SME Foundation and were members of both the John T. Boyd Challenge and the 25K Club. Meyer was active in both SME and the SME Foundation up until his untimely passing. Military awards Meyer’s service in the Army, where he rose to the rank of captain, left a profound impact on him. His patriotism and support for the military was strong; he was a steadfast supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, reflecting his lifelong belief in honoring those who served. He received several military awards, including the Bronze Star, for his service. SME/AIME oral history Meyer did an interview with George Luxbacher for the SME/AIME oral history project in February 2023; planning for that effort took place over several sessions of cigars and fine bourbon on Luxbacher’s back porch. The video and transcript will soon be available on the SME website — we encourage all to view it to see the contributions of this humble man. Though his professional accomplishments were significant, he was most proud of his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Dixie, two daughters, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. In his free time, Meyer could be found relaxing on the patio, watching football, enjoying either a glass of bourbon, a martini or wine and smoking a cigar. He enjoyed dancing with Dixie to their favorite songs while holding her hand and singing to her, a testament to the deep love they shared. Meyer’s commitment to his family, his work (including SME) and his country made him a man respected and loved by all who knew him. He will be missed.

Drew Alden Meyer, 1943-2024

Authored by: Dave Kanagy

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