On Sunday, Aug. 23, Mika Meyer's final moments were on a beautiful afternoon bike ride with his wife, Shelly. A fatal bee sting claimed his life despite the efforts given by his wife, a local nurse.
On March 15, 1970, Mika Oliver Meyer entered the world, born in Stuttgart, Germany to Reindard Meyer and Ulla Salminen. He lived in Germany for ten years before spending another decade in Wexford County, Ireland. Mika studied for two years in Cork, Ireland before making his way to study at Western State College in 1991. The Gunnison Valley became home and it wasn't long before he found his tribe. With a German and Finnish heritage, his friends began to refer to his strange dialect as "Mikanese.”
Mika had a brief stint on the East Coast in Cape Cod and eventually the power of this incredible valley pulled him back in 2007. It was not long before Mika's "Mikanase" lured in his soon to be wife, Shelly. It was a fateful evening at the Eldo where their 18-year romance began, dancing to Martin Sexton, and live music immediately became one of their love languages. They traveled frequently to see Widespread Panic, Gov’t Mule, Clutch and Metallica.
Mika stayed true to his German roots with his strong will, a passion for debate and his use of proper etiquette. He was also a man of many trades, interests, and passions. He was committed to doing his part to save the earth and thankfully because of his "reduce, reuse, recycle" life mantra, many people in the valley have benefited. He had a gift for repurposing and salvaging material and often used them to craft beautiful homes. In the past three decades, he has built many custom homes across the Gunnison Valley including his family’s home.
Building might have been his profession, but his masterpiece was creating a life with Shelly and becoming a devoted father to his son. In 2010, Mika found his deepest purpose and meaning when Tristan came into this world. It was important to Mika that Tristan develop a global worldview. Before Tristan turned two, Shelly and Mika took Tristan to live in Australia and traveled extensively in Southeast Asia for two years. They also made regular trips to Europe. His fatherly guidance extended to making Tristan's lunch every day, taking him on motorcycle adventures, riding mountain bikes, skiing and snowboarding around our beautiful valley. Mika loved birding, nurturing wildflowers and all aspects of nature and the outdoors. Mika could only hope Tristan learned the value of playing hard but being soft on the Earth.
Mika will be deeply missed and remembered by his wife, Shelly Higgins, and son, Tristan Meyer, his parents, Reindard Meyer and Ulla Salminen, his brother, Lari Meyer, brother, Kai (Mags) Meyer, nieces and nephews (Luka, Poppy, Eli, Thea-Rose), along with his extended family members and a large circle of friends.
Please join us for a celebration of life at the Crested Butte Town Park-Alpenglow field on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Mika’s family asks that you give time to your community. Those who wish may contribute to Tristan Meyer’s education fund in Mika’s memory at the Crested Butte Bank.
