Hugh K. Myers

Hugh K. Myers, a resident of Lake View Place in Fond du Lac, WI and formally of Appleton, WI, passed away Friday, January 20, 2023, following a brief rehabilitation stay at Villa Loretto nursing home in Mt. Calvary. He was surrounded by his loving family during his final days. Hugh was born on December 23, 1942, to Hugh S. and Eleanor (nee Kirby) Myers in Otsego, MI, where he spent his childhood years. Hugh attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where he met his future wife Martha (Marty) Kaas while dancing “Under the Sea.” After he obtained his BS in Paper Technology and Marty her BS in Education, they were married on August 19, 1967, at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. Hugh then went on to earn his Master of Science in Paper Technology in 1969 while Marty began teaching elementary school. Before moving to Appleton, WI in 1971, the couple lived in Dayton, OH, where Hugh began working for an affiliate of Appleton Papers (currently Appvion) and Marty continued teaching while also earning her master’s degree at Wright State University. Once in Appleton, Hugh spent the next 34 years working as a chemist for Appleton Papers. Weekends found him photographing weddings as he began his own part-time business, Hugh Myers Photography, which he continued to do for 39 years. With the move to Appleton, Marty came home from teaching and she and Hugh began a family of their own, with the birth of their daughter, Amy and later their son, Scott. Though Hugh worked many hours between the paper company and his own business, his family remember him fondly as being at “everything the kids did.” While Marty was responsible for the overall education of their children, Hugh instilled laughter and a strong work ethic in both Amy and Scott, as well as a love for science. When summer weekends allowed, the family enjoyed canoe trips with picnics in Door County and Waupaca. Fall and winter weekends when not at swim meets found Hugh cheering on the Badgers and the Packers with great enthusiasm. Hugh also liked to bike and kayak. Upon his retirement from Appleton Papers in 2003, Hugh took on several part-time jobs to avoid the boredom he found in retirement. He continued his photography business through 2012. In addition, he and Marty began to travel and cruised the Caribbean seven times. They also babysat for their two grandsons, Caleb and Connor, and attended the boys’ many activities over the following years. Hugh took the greatest pride in his family and can be seen smiling with love in the thousands of pictures that exist. Along with love for his family, Hugh’s greatest love was for His Lord and Savior. He and the family were members of Alliance Church in Appleton, where Hugh served as an usher. Hugh left a hand-written note crediting, “the importance of our mini-church in our spiritual growth.” Hugh also volunteered frequently at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Appleton and at St. Joseph’s Food Pantry in Menasha, WI. Hugh’s love of family, especially his beloved wife Marty, remained apparent to the end. He struggled with issues related to his Parkinson’s Disease and his final days following a hip fracture were complicated. No matter how difficult, however, Hugh always found caring words for and about Marty, crediting her for raising their wonderful children. He could also find a little grin for the mention of his favorite drink, a Pepsi. Hugh’s death creates a deep sadness for everyone who knew him. He leaves behind Marty, his best friend and wife of 55+ years, of Fond du Lac; his children Amy (John) McFadden of Fond du Lac and Scott (Andrea) Myers of Minneapolis, MN as well as his “neat grandsons” Caleb and Connor McFadden. He also leaves behind his sisters Winnifred (Larry) Jurrjens of South Lyon, MI, and Marilyn (George) Marion of Kalamazoo, MI, and brother-in-law Richard (Kathy) Kaas of Nashua, NH, in addition to nieces and nephews. Hugh was also blessed with numerous friends, notably long-time special friends Mel and Barb Lichefski, of Appleton, their mini-church leaders. Hugh K. Myers was proceeded in death by his parents, Hugh S. and Eleanor Myers and his in-laws Wayne and June (nee Shauver) Kaas. Hugh’s body has been cremated. A Celebration of Hugh’s Life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Alliance Church, 3693 W. Grand Chute Blvd, Appleton, WI 54913. (920-968-0700) Visitation will take place from 9-11 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. and a luncheon to follow. Burial of ashes will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Hugh’s name can be directed to Alliance Church or to the American Parkinson Disease Association via mail, email, or phone. (apdaparkinson.org) The family thanks the staff of Villa Loretto, Mt. Calvary, for their extraordinary care in Hugh’s final days as well as the staff and friends at Lake View Place for making Hugh feel welcome. Additional gratitude goes to Dr. Lisa Weber, Dr. Steven Magoline and Hugh’s care team at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac. I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3 NIV

Hugh K. Myers

December 23, 1942 - January 20, 2023