Harry Alan Meeker of Springs and Melbourne, Fla., a retired teacher and Korean War veteran, died on Feb. 5 at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne after a fall at home. He was 96.
Mr. Meeker taught high school math, science, and physical education for 31 years in the Three Village School District in Setauket.
He took an active interest in his students throughout his career, often chaperoning hiking, camping, and skiing trips. Later serving as the Gelinas Junior High School principal, Mr. Meeker “developed and chaperoned an international exchange program with a middle school in England.”
Born in Mineola on Aug. 18, 1927, to Henry Meeker and the former Marie Streater, he was the oldest of six children.
At Cortland State Teachers College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education, he participated in a variety of intercollegiate sports and was a member of the All-American lacrosse team.
While working his way through college in the late 1940s, he met his future wife, Joan Schulte, while delivering ice in East Hampton.
After graduating in 1950, he was drafted into the Army, attended Officer Candidate School, and was deployed to Korea, where he served as a platoon leader in the 3rd Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman and Sharpshooter (Carbine) Badges.
Upon his honorable discharge as first lieutenant in 1953, he and Joan Schulte were married on June 27 of that year at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton, and he began his teaching career. He earned a master’s degree in education from Colgate University.
Mr. Meeker enjoyed the outdoors “whether gardening, camping, canoeing, skiing, hiking, boating, or sitting and watching the sunset,” his family said, and he drew them “along on many a mountain climb, canoeing expedition, and camping trip. Cooking and planning the week’s menu was a passion that led to many an adventurous meal.”
In East Hampton, he led bridge games for several summers at the senior citizens center on Springs-Fireplace Road. He enjoyed clamming at Gerard Park, golf at the Sag Harbor Golf Course, and dips in the bay at Maidstone Park.
His wife survives, as do a daughter, Susan Paul of Melbourne, and her husband, Jim, and two sons, Christopher Meeker and his wife, Sally, of Sound Beach, and Stephen Meeker and his wife, Eileen, of Newtown, Conn. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kyle Meeker, Owen Meeker, and Peri Meeker, two great-grandchildren, Ava and Silhouette Meeker, and by his youngest brother, Jon Meeker. His brothers David, Roger, and Peter Meeker and a sister, Doris Benson, died before him.
Burial with military honors will be on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Florida. The family has suggested donations to the American Cancer Society, online at cancer.org.
