Obituary of Orville Meister

Orville Charles Meister, 88, recently of State College, PA, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2012 surrounded by his family near and far. Born to Orville L. and Margaret S. Meister on August 27, 1924 in Pittsburgh, PA, Obe, as he was called by all friends, grew up in the north hills of Pittsburgh with his younger brother David. Obe attended Washington & Jefferson College for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 where he earned his wings co-piloting B-24 bombers in the Pacific Theater of World War II while stationed in Okinawa. He returned and graduated from W&J College in 1950 with a degree in business administration, whereupon he joined his father at the family-owned business, Fort Pitt Hardware Company. Upon his father's retirement, Obe grew the business of architectural hardware consulting and supply with a full-service door and window metal fabrication shop. He was a member of the American Society of Architectural Hardware Consultants, and an elder at Beulah Presbyterian Church in Churchill, PA. On June 26, 1948 he married the former Margaret "Billie" Reichard of Norfolk, Virginia. They settled near Pittsburgh in Crescent Hills, where they raised their family alongside friendships built around highly spirited neighborhood social events. Crescent Hills friendships endure to this day among neighborhood offspring around the globe. Obe's easy temperament, humorous disposition, kindness, and loyalty garnered many friendships throughout his years. Obe is survived by his wife of 63 years and three grown children: Megan Margaret Meister of Eugene, Oregon; Paul Mead Meister of State College, PA; and Todd Charles Meister of Salem, Oregon. Beloved grandchildren are Michael Todd Fahrenbach of Greeley, Colorado; Rachael Fahrenbach of Shanghai, China; Sean Douglas Meister of State College, PA; and Ben Reichard Meister of University Park, PA. Obe's younger brother David Meister survives in Pittburgh, PA. Friends will be received from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Obe's favorite charities, Special Olympics Centre County, PO Box 10465, State College, PA 16805-0456 or The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.