Many mourn passing of Victor Valley Rescue Mission’s Walter 'Mike' Meyer

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·6 min read

Living a wealthy beach lifestyle as a young man, Walter “Mike” Meyer took a wrong turn in life and ended up homeless and living on the streets of Victorville.

During his latter years, Meyer found solace, sobriety and salvation when he came across the Victor Valley Rescue Mission, his family said.

Serving as the outreach coordinator for the nonprofit for nearly a decade, Meyer coordinated countless events, helping to hand out thousands of free school backpacks, feeding the homeless, and praying for the needy.

Rescue Mission officials recently announced that Meyer went home to his “Heavenly Father” on March 10.

“I’m grateful for the rescue mission rescuing and loving my brother, and giving him a second chance in life,” Kandis Munro told the Daily Press on Wednesday.

Many are mourning the passing of Victor Valley Rescue Mission outreach coordinator Walter ‘Mike’ Meyer, who loved ones described as a man with a servant’s heart.
Many are mourning the passing of Victor Valley Rescue Mission outreach coordinator Walter ‘Mike’ Meyer, who loved ones described as a man with a servant’s heart.

57 ‘awesome’ years

Munro said Meyer struggled over the past few years with many health issues before he died at age 67.

“Mike taught me a lot of things, like how to drive a stick shift, how to ski, how to cook on a boat and the dangers of the Wedge at Newport Beach,” Munro said.

Holding back tears, Munro recalled her brother’s life, from being born in Lancaster, moving to Orange County, and finding himself homeless in the High Desert.

Munro texted her big brother every Friday, with each message ending with Mike saying, “I love you.” with her reply, “I love you more,” she said.

Mike was a great man who had a bad 10 years of life, “but the other 57 were awesome,” Munro said.

Many are mourning the passing of Victor Valley Rescue Mission outreach coordinator Walter ‘Mike’ Meyer, who loved ones described as a man with a servant’s heart.
Many are mourning the passing of Victor Valley Rescue Mission outreach coordinator Walter ‘Mike’ Meyer, who loved ones described as a man with a servant’s heart.

Munro shared that she and Mike were born to upper-middle-class parents, a father who worked at Lockheed, and a mother who wanted to move to Manhattan Beach.

“After leaving Lancaster, we moved to Orange County, where Mike graduated from Lowell High School in La Habra,” Munro said. “We later moved to oceanfront property at Newport Beach.”

Munro described Mike as an amazing surfer and photographer, who fished, played water polo, and was so popular in school that he was selected as homecoming king.

“Mike’s first job was at Alpha Beta in La Habra, where he was named checker employee of the month,” Munro said. “We also worked at Skip’s Stuffed Surfer, a burger joint where all the beach kids hung out.”

Meyer graduated from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, where he studied architecture, his sister said.

Many are mourning the passing of Victor Valley Rescue Mission outreach coordinator Walter ‘Mike’ Meyer, who loved ones described as a man with a servant’s heart.
Many are mourning the passing of Victor Valley Rescue Mission outreach coordinator Walter ‘Mike’ Meyer, who loved ones described as a man with a servant’s heart.

Spiraling out of control

Munro’s brother connected with a wealthy contractor and he began building restaurants. He started meeting people who lived the “high lifestyle” and was introduced to drugs, alcohol, private jets and money, she said.

“Mike didn’t know how to handle that lifestyle and his life started spiraling out of control,” Munro said. “He eventually got married and moved to Apple Valley.”

Meyer's marriage eventually dissolved, he lost touch with his family and ended up homeless, Munro said.

In a previous interview, Meyer told the Daily Press that he lived on the streets, or in a horse shed in Oro Grande without food, a roof over his head, or “any hope.”

Finding the rescue mission

Meyer related that it was the “kindness and love” he received from people at the rescue mission that helped him out when he had nothing.

Meyer stated that the rescue mission was a “compass” that eventually helped him to find “Jesus,” who came into his heart and changed his life.

Unsheltered and in need of sobriety, Meyer first came to the nonprofit's rescue mission through its shower program in 2012, rescue missions officials stated.

Meyer entered the mission's Men’s Life Recovery program in October 2012 after being homeless in the Victor Valley for more than 10 years, Rescue mission Director Bill Edwards said.

After graduating from the recovery program in July 2013, Meyer came to the mission’s weekly shower program and began to interact with the outreach staff and volunteers.

He was hired as the mission’s outreach coordinator in November 2014 after completing an internship, according to Edwards.

“He was the first hire as director and was one of the greatest men I have had the honor to work alongside,” Edwards said. “His experience, both in his work career and homelessness, gave him such a unique perspective to sit with one of the mission’s guests and connect with them and share resources and the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Meyer was known by many for his servant’s heart, wry sense of humor, puns, impeccable logistical abilities, humility, and “joyful desire to follow the path that his beloved Savior Jesus Christ set before him,” rescue mission officials stated.

A 'gentle man' and an 'inspiration to us all'

Azusa Pacific University Lead Nursing Instructor Lydia Garcia-Usry, whose students regularly volunteer at rescue mission events, said she is heartbroken to hear that Meyer had died.

“He was a lovely man and I know that he is getting his reward in heaven,” Usry said. “He loved Jesus and loved serving. I’ll miss his greetings. I would always hear him say to me, ‘Hi Doc.’ He will be missed. There is no replacing this kind and gentle man.”

Ron Wilson, the former mission director, said, “Mike was an inspiration to us all. I never met a man with a bigger heart. What a great loss to humanity but a great gain for heaven. See you soon my friend.”

“Mike had a heart of gold, I’m sad to think of him not being there to love on everyone,” Alan Clother said. “He will leave a big hole in a lot of lives, and just knowing he’s gone even from afar leaves a hole in mine.”

Jeremy George, who worked alongside Meyer, said, “I was so broken hearted when I heard about Mike's passing. He was a great brother, friend, and coworker. Heaven has gained a truly amazing angel. You will be missed, Mike.”

Susan Conway, the founder/CEO of God’s Hand Extended, said Meyer was a man of integrity and was so joyful despite being homeless.

“I remember the days when he started to come to the rescue mission for a meal, shower, and to make us smile,” said Conway, who volunteered at the mission. “We all fell in love with him. He was such a jokester and his presence was always appreciated.”

CJ Page, the executive director of the Community Health Action Network, said he was sad to hear that Meyer had died.

“I just worked with him about a couple weeks back with the Desert Hospital event at the mall,” Page said. “We shared some special moments and laughs.” 

Rescue Mission officials request that people honor Meyer's memory by "doing a loving act of service in Jesus' name.”

“I’ll be coming up to take care of Mike’s belongings,” said Munro, who lives in the San Diego area. “I don’t have a date yet, but we’re planning to have a celebration of life for him in Victorville.”

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Many mourn death of Victor Valley Rescue Mission’s Walter 'Mike' Meyer