Alfred Francis Meyer

Apr 14, 1929 -

Dec 16, 2022

Alfred Meyer died peacefully surrounded by his family on Dec. 16, 2022, at age 93, after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Alfred was born the eighth child of Alfred and Mary Meyer on April 14, 1929, in Canton, Ohio. The family moved to California in 1939, when Al was 10 years old. He later attended John Muir High School, Junior College in Pasadena, and UCLA, graduating in 1947. Al was a standout athlete, running track and starting as quarterback for John Muir in both high school and junior college.

Al was called into the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War. Upon returning home, he married Margaret "Marge" Beltrami on June 13, 1953. Al and Marge had begun dating shortly before he joined the Navy and continued corresponding throughout his time in the service. Two weeks after getting married, Al and Marge embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. Together with Al's brother Bill, the three made their way up to Alaska, hauling a 30-foot-long trailer on the vehicle-torturing Alaska Highway to pursue their dreams of success in the Last Frontier.

A true pioneering entrepreneur, Al had always dreamed of starting a business in Alaska and he pursued that dream with a passion. Al eventually established multiple business ventures over the years in Alaska, California, and Arkansas. Al and his brother Bill both worked odd jobs and in construction to finance their ventures, including laying dynamite to build roads upon arriving in Alaska. Soon they earned enough to start up their first business. In the decades to come they boldly leapt into so many ventures it was hard to keep track of them all. In Alaska the two brothers along with their wives owned United Auto, Muffler City & Brake, Auto Parts Wholesaler, Speed Shop, Sound Booth, the first Alaskan Toy Company, AK Tile, North Air, and a Valdez development project. In California, Al and Bill owned two pizza parlors and an apartment complex. In Arkansas, they operated a hog farming business called Razorback Farms. Today, the family still owns and operates Muffler City, a longtime successful Anchorage downtown landmark on the corner of 5th Avenue and A Street.

Al was also a dynamic mover and shaker in the political scene of the 1960s and 70s, helping establish the Democratic Party headquarters office in Anchorage. At their beautiful Stanford Drive home on Lake Otis, Al and Marge entertained numerous politicians and celebrities, including Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Senator Mike Gravel, Congressman Nick Begich, and celebrities Ronald Reagan and Glen Campbell just to name a few.

But "Big Al" was never more in his element than when he was working the floor and the counter at Muffler City. He had an uncanny ability to engage and connect with customers coming into the shop looking for the latest cool mods for their vehicles. To hear him build up a customer and convince them they couldn't live without this part or that part to create the ultimate hot rod was a thing of beauty.

In his later years, Al and Marge spent a few months each winter traveling to California, Hawaii, Europe, and the Middle East. They also took advantage of attending their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren's school activities and sporting events.

Al would regale anyone who would listen with more stories than one could ever imagine having lived. "To make a long story short" was always his go-to catch phrase. While the stories were rarely short, they were always fascinating and the pictures bore the proof. Al was a remarkable man who lived an extraordinary life. A husband committed to the love of his life, a faithful Catholic, a dedicated father to his four children, beloved "Pa" to his grandkids and great-grandkids and a successful businessman who enjoyed the finer things in life.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marge; children, Catherine Meyer Jensen, Leonard Meyer, Terry Meyer Link (Rich) and Alfred Meyer (Michelle); seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

The following services will be held in honor of Al: a Viewing will be held on Jan. 11, 2023, from 4-8 p.m., at Forest Lawn in Cathedral City and a Funeral Mass will be held on Jan. 12, 2023, at 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert, followed by burial at Forest Lawn in Glendale at 2:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held in Anchorage at a future date.