Roy Meyer

Hardworking. Wow, was he hardworking. His work ethic was incredible. I’m so glad this year (2020) was his best harvest ever, what a way to go out. At the top of his game, doing what he loved. It’s how he would have wanted it. He was happiest when he was working on the farm, caring for his hogs and cattle and tending to his crops. Hogman, they called him, a fitting name for a farmer who continued to raise hogs mostly because he enjoyed it, because we know hog prices haven’t been good for years. He always told me “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” He was my and my sisters’ inspiration to become entrepreneurs. He was always so supportive of us girls in everything we did. Even though he loved to work, he always made time for his family.

Selfless. Dad was always thinking of others, putting others’ needs above his own. He and I once counted the number of times he moved us girls. I can’t remember the number but it was high! He just laughed and shook his head. He never once complained though, and he packed those trailers like he was the king of Tetris. He was constantly going to neighbors homes to assist with whatever needs they had, coming to the rescue for anyone who needed anything at all. Besides the obvious big selfless acts, he did so many small selfless things too; always the last one through the dinner line, holding kids while we all ate first, leaving the closest parking spot for us, cleaning off and warming up our cars in the winter. Everything dad did was selfless.

Wise. This man was smart. He could do anything, fix anything, figure out anything he put his mind to. In his older years he was more inclined to hire those small jobs out, leaving more time for him to do the things he truly loved like caring for his livestock, working on the farm, and being with his family. Though he was extremely wise, he would never push advice on a person. if you asked, though, he always gave the most thought out, sound advice, the type of advice that would stick with you for a lifetime.

Loving. Dad loved hard. He adored his parents and cared for them as they aged, taking care of whatever they needed. He cared so deeply for all 12 of his siblings, making sure to keep them close by continuing family gatherings after his mom and dad passed (this was a request of his mom and I love that he was adamant to fulfill it). He loved his four daughters, seven granddaughters and, finally, one grandson (now 10 granddaughters and 2 grandsons). He gave countless tractor rides, shared desserts with little hands, and cuddled them any chance he got. His grandchildren have so many beautiful memories of their time spent with papaw. He made every single one of them feel like they were his world, giving them each undivided attention. He always had a grandchild on his lap or in his arms.

When I think of dad and love, I immediately think of the love he had for his wife. My mom and dad had an incredible marriage and bond. I’ve never seen two people more compatible than them. They were genuinely soul mates. Bud, he called her, which all of us girls loved. They were the best of friends and had so much fun together, teasing each other, going fishing, or sitting at the fire pit sharing dads homemade wine. Their relationship was easy and so beautiful.The type of marriage that you think only exists in fairy tales. I’m sure dads spirit will always be with mom, he just loved her too much to not be.

Joyful. Dad was always so full of joy and was such a prankster. He had a nickname for everyone. His grandkids were lovingly called Snorey-Norey, Charlie, wildcat, Freddie, Sylvie girl, Tater, and deano-beano (his take on Dean Benno). His laugh was contagious and he always wore a smile on his face. He had a way of teasing you that made you feel loved. He was always pulling jokes on mom...like catching a spider in a jar and leaving it on the counter for her because she hates them so much, or taking a spur of his deceased rooster, Roscoe and turning it into a necklace for her because he spurred her once. Dad thought it was hysterical, mom not so much. He was always making us laugh and being goofy for the grandkids. Dancing around like a fool or acting crazy just to get a laugh. His good-hearted nature and sense of humor will be dearly missed.

Talented. Was there anything the man couldn’t do? He was so good with words, always the one to help us with English class when we had to write poems. He was a skilled welder. He learned how to woodwork from his dad and spent his winters building all the Pinterest projects us girls requested. Our homes are filled with beautiful pieces handcrafted by him which we will cherish forever. He made every one of them special in some way, with something sentimental like scraps from the house he was raised in, a unique piece of wood he found in an abandoned house on his property, or wood burned initials. He was so thoughtful. He made delicious homemade wine he loved to share with friends and family. His love of wine inspired his son in laws to start making their own wine as well.

Genuine. Dad was the definition of genuine. A man who truly cared. A man who genuinely wanted to know the answer when he asked how you were. Anytime someone called or stopped by, he stopped whatever he was doing to give them his undivided attention. Us girls would call with a silly question and he would answer his phone no matter what he was doing, often yelling over a loud piece of machinery and hollering at a hog he was moving. He was never too busy for anyone. He was a friend to so many, and loved by everyone he met. He made everyone feel special by taking a true interest in them and what they were saying. He greeted everyone by name, and even some had a special greeting he did every time he saw them. “Ooey!” “Big Al! “Whatcha doin Mean Mel?” “Eww it’s Emmy!” all come to mind, but I know there were dozens more. He made everyone feel special and truly cared for. When his brother, Dennis, passed away, I could tell he made sure to give his kids extra love and attention. He had more than enough love to go around.

One of a kind. Dad was one of those people that could light up a room. You know the kind, the ones who are always surrounded by people because everyone wants to be around them. He was one of the good ones, the type of person we all wish we could be more like. He always kept the conversation going, could talk to anyone, always had a sparkle in his eye. He touched so many lives with his kind spirit during his time here on earth. I can only imagine the rejoicing in heaven as Jesus greeted him and said “well done, good and faithful servant.” Someday I look forward to walking through those pearly gates and seeing his shining face waiting for me, holding a glass of his homemade wine to celebrate.

We are all forever changed for the better because we were lucky enough to know Roy Benno. Anyone who spent any amount of time with him learned something or was touched in some way. He loved life and lived every day to its fullest with no regrets. May we learn from the way he lived life and may we cherish our memories of him and keep his spirit alive in each and every one of us. “Say not in grief 'he is no more' but in thankfulness that he was.”