In Memoriam 1992-1997/Ray Meyer

RAY MEYER

1920—1996

Weep not for me For Death is

but the vehicle that unites my soul with the Creative Essence, God. My spiritual Being, my love is

still with you, where ever you are until forever.

You will find me in the quiet moments in the trees, amidst the rocks,

the cloud and beams of sunshine indeed, everywhere for I, too, am a part of the total essence of creation that radiates everywhere

about you, eternally.

Life, after all, is just a 215

passing phase.

Ijtting Ray go, on a day like this with the trees swaying and the rain parting, this is what we have to do. Ray has gone with the trees and the rain and the copious words from his Beloved, which are uttered in his memory and for his happiness.

The achievements of his life are tangible and practical. Ray took the essence of education and knowledge seriously. He pursued the meaning of existence to the point where it could be savored, and he would then share his discoveries with everyone he communicated with.

Ray was born on July 13, 1920, and grew up in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. He was the school captain at Bathurst High School, where he grew to know and cherish his schoolyard sweetheart, Nancy (Nance) Coral Pratt. They were destined to marry and produce four wonderful children, Roslyn (Payne), John, Rick, and Alan. (Alan was tragically killed in a road accident in 1971.) Theirs was a close family, and in the eyes of their children, Ray and Nance were something unusual—a pair in harmony for fifty—three years of marriage.

Ray earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in education from the University of Sydney. He then went to the University of California where he was awarded a doctoral degree with “High Distinction” in 1969. While undertaking his doctorate Ray was very ill, and for six months he was in and out of hospital.

2‘5 With permission the poem “Epitaph” is reproduced from B/zzc/e fiom the Edge by Kevin Gilbert, Hyland House Publishing, Melbourne 1994.. Kevin Gilbert is a well known Australian indigenous artist.

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Ray Meyer

Nevertheless within fifteen months he completed his studies.

His profession commenced at North Sydney Technical High where he taught from 1940 to 1948. He then worked as sports—master at Gosford High from 1948 to 1954, and in 1955 he was the physical education (PE) and recreation adviser, Southern Region. In 1956 and for the next ten years, he was the senior lecturer in health and physical education at the Bathurst Teachers College.

Ray pioneered concepts in the fields of physical and health education, including those that contributed to the development of Colleges of Advanced Education (CAE) in Australia. In 1980 he retired as Head of the Department of Behavioural Sciences, Goulburn College of Advanced Education. Ray was also Fellow of the Australian College of Education.

While their daughter Roslyn was in hospital, she learned of the Bahá’í Faith from the girl in the next bed whose aunt, Pauline Mason, was a Bahá’í. Roslyn encouraged

THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

her parents to look into the Faith, as it seemed so similar to their beliefs. As a result Pauline visited them in Bathurst, and the Meyers began to study the Faith. During their stay in Southern California they attended firesides and other activities which greatly attracted them to Baha’u’llah. On returning home to Australia in 1969 they realized their decision had been made. They knocked on the door at 2 Lang Road, Paddington, which in those days was the Bahá’í National Office, and they asked for Jim Heggie.

“No, Mr. Heggie216 isn’t here at the moment,” said Pieter de Vogel,217 “May I help you?”

“We’ve come to sign Bahá’í cards,” stated the Meyers.

“Come in and sit down please,” replied Mr. de Vogel faintly, as he now needed to sit down himselfl

Ray served as a member of the National Bahá’í Teaching Committee from 1970 to 1971 and was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia from 1971 to 1975. He resigned to take up an overseas fellowship, and after his return he was reelected and served that institution from 1980 to 1987, some years as its secretary or assistant secretary. He was also secretary of the National Teaching Committee for many years and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the Bahá’í International Conference held in Canberra.

Ray wrote 312/1527? Follower Oft/Je Light, which has been used globally as an introduction to the Faith. He is well known for his contribution to children’s education and curriculum development, for the training of teachers for children’s classes, for his work as coordinator of the Children’s Education Task Force, as well as for his

316 See James Heggie, pp. 10—13. 217 See Pieter de Vogel, pp. 202—4.

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initiative in collaborating with educators in other countries.

There were no enemies in his life, and aggression was of no account. If he needed to work out a problem, he would go out and pace around until he had it under control. He was a man equally at ease with all levels of society and rejoiced in all he met. To each he gave abounding love and a full measure of respect. On November I, 1996, Ray passed out of this phase of life and into the next. Ray had sat with Nance, and they had read together. In another moment he had left this life, and she knew it. The book in his hands, 7716 Book of Certitude, contained their last reflection together in this world.

On November 4, 1996, the Universal House of Justice respected his memory, writing:

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Ray Meyer, who rendered memorable services to the Faith in Australia over a lengthy period, including membership of the National Spiritual Assembly for more than ten years, and who will especially be remembered for his contributions to the development of Bahá’í education. Kindly convey our condolences to the members of his family and to his friends, and assure them of our prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress ofhis

luminous soul in the worlds beyond.

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