Fellow '79er Cobbler Darwin Meyer, born October 21, 1960, came from a long line of SD State High School Champion wrestlers. Darwin's brothers Kevin and Duane (both Cobblers of '77) were state champion wrestlers, as was "Dar" himself, who took 5th place in SD High School State Wrestling Championships held during his Cobbler Sr. year.
After CHS graduation, Dar attended one year of college before deciding to join the military, full-time, as an enlisted sailor with the United States Navy. The USN was his proud vocation and in it he excelled. He obtained ranks quickly and had obtained CPO (Navy Chief Petty Officer) in just twelve years. Darwin's last station was at the Sasebo Naval Base in Nagasaki, Japan.
Dar collapsed of catastrophic heart failure on August 17, 1994, while playing softball with fellow sailors at the Sasebo Naval Base. He was 33 years old.
Dar left behind his wife Becky, a son Steven (then 8 years old), and a daughter Kelly (then 5), all currently from Colorado Springs, CO. Dar's other survivors include his mother Sylvia, his sisters Sylvia and Adora, and his four brothers: Kevin, Duane, Cameron, and Howard. Darwin's father, Howard, pre-deceased him in 1988.
Darwin's oldest brother, Mr. Kevin Meyer of Colorado Springs, CO, provided the information listed above. Kevin has offered his personal contact information and may be reached at komeyer@broadmoor.com or phone 719-499-4469. Thank you to Kevin from Darwin's fellow '79ers and Cobbler classmates. dj - 04/27/09
This is our only classmate who is no longer with us that I can truly say I knew. Darwin was a good friend and a damn good wrestler. I was trying to remember how many years I knew Darwin and I'd have to say at least six - three at Central and three at South.
Darwin was funny - what a crack-up. And, he was dedicated to the sport. He was always in good physical shape and pushed the rest of us to get it together. He had good wrestling technique and was always quick to help someone who needed it. Thanks buddy! I'll miss you.
Best wishes to Darwin's family and other friends out there. Know that Darwin will be missed by me and I'm sure a lot of other Rapid Citians.
I am glad to see that Darwin is on the website!!...Jimmy Cleaton helped us with this info and got us in contact with Kevin!!...Darwin always had a smile on his face and had a great upbeat personality!!...He was a positive influence to alot of us!!...You were a good friend and are always thought of!!...I will always remember that when I moved here, my Mom and Dad got to know your Mom and Dad!!..take care and God Bless!!
I wrestled Darwin through junior high and then into our sophomore year. Let's just say he was one tough son of a gun! And by his record you can tell who always came out on top! Sad that he is no longer with us. I`ll always remember how great of a guy he was. God Bless, Kirk
Dar was such a sweet guy. He always had a kind word and a really great smile. He had an inner strength only outdone by his physical strength. I am shocked to hear about this. I wouldn't expect someone that was in that type of shape to have a heart problem. It just goes to show us that life is precious. Don't waste a minute being mean or hurting anyone- love one another as Christ loves the Church.
Danny Claymore
This is our only classmate who is no longer with us that I can truly say I knew. Darwin was a good friend and a damn good wrestler. I was trying to remember how many years I knew Darwin and I'd have to say at least six - three at Central and three at South.Darwin was funny - what a crack-up. And, he was dedicated to the sport. He was always in good physical shape and pushed the rest of us to get it together. He had good wrestling technique and was always quick to help someone who needed it. Thanks buddy! I'll miss you.
Best wishes to Darwin's family and other friends out there. Know that Darwin will be missed by me and I'm sure a lot of other Rapid Citians.
Jim Kurtenbach
I am glad to see that Darwin is on the website!!...Jimmy Cleaton helped us with this info and got us in contact with Kevin!!...Darwin always had a smile on his face and had a great upbeat personality!!...He was a positive influence to alot of us!!...You were a good friend and are always thought of!!...I will always remember that when I moved here, my Mom and Dad got to know your Mom and Dad!!..take care and God Bless!!Kirk Dulany
I wrestled Darwin through junior high and then into our sophomore year. Let's just say he was one tough son of a gun! And by his record you can tell who always came out on top!Sad that he is no longer with us. I`ll always remember how great of a guy he was.
God Bless,
Kirk
Sue Ghere (Garofalo)
Dar was such a sweet guy. He always had a kind word and a really great smile. He had an inner strength only outdone by his physical strength. I am shocked to hear about this. I wouldn't expect someone that was in that type of shape to have a heart problem. It just goes to show us that life is precious. Don't waste a minute being mean or hurting anyone- love one another as Christ loves the Church.