JOHN RICHARD MYERS II

JOHN RICHARD MYERS II

1957 - 2026

John Richard Myers II, born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on August 8, 1957, passed away on September 20, 2026, in Santa Maria, California. He grew up in the Chicago area and maintained a connection to his hometown throughout his life.

After graduating from Fenwick High School, John attended Northwestern University, where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. His career eventually led him to aerospace, beginning in 1983 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Over the next 38 years, he worked in launch operations and engineering, including positions with Lockheed and McDonnell Douglas, and later Boeing and United Launch Alliance. He earned his master’s degree in Astronautical Engineering while working and eventually served as an Engineering Manager and Launch Operations Chief Engineer.

John retired in 2020 after a long and rewarding career working on the launch of satellites and rockets, including Delta II, Atlas V, and Delta IV. He was proud of the important work he and his colleagues accomplished and of the missions they supported. Along the way, many of his coworkers became lifelong friends, relationships that continued long after their time working together.

Outside of work, John enjoyed the things that made life fun. He was an avid golfer, a home beer maker, and a poker player who enjoyed the competition and strategy of a good game. John loved being a competitor and genuinely enjoyed the challenge of trying to win. Over the years, he enjoyed softball, running, cycling, tennis, and racquetball. More recently, he especially enjoyed spending time playing golf.

John had a deep love of music that spanned just about every genre and attended countless concerts throughout his life, with The Rolling Stones holding a particularly special place in his heart. More recently, he even developed an appreciation for Eminem. He loved to travel and made memories with family and friends in places including Mexico and Tokyo.

John loved his Latina wife, Yolanda, deeply. Together for 24 years, they shared a love of traveling to Mexico, wine tasting, and dancing salsa together. They built a life filled with laughter, music, travel, and countless memories. John often told Yolanda that she was the love of his life, and she knew without a doubt that he was hers. Yolanda looks forward to the day when they can share more dances together again.

John loved his sons, Max and Andrew, and his grandchildren, Kelleam and Margot, very much and held them dear to his heart. He was also deeply fond of his stepchildren, Paola, Matt, and Jorge.

John is survived by his wife, Yolanda Myers; his sons, Max Myers (Victoria Myers) and Andrew Myers; his grandchildren, Kelleam Myers and Margot Myers, children of Max and Victoria; and his stepchildren, Paola Terronez (Matthew Terronez) and Jorge Delgado. John is also survived by his father, John Myers, and his sisters, Sally Myers Shelvin (Harold Shelvin), Lisa Roettgers (David Roettgers), and Gwynn Wills (Dan Wills).

John loved spending time with the people close to him and was always up for a good conversation. He was witty, curious, and enjoyed learning new things. He was also deeply loyal to the people he loved. Once someone was part of John’s life, he cared about them, stood by them, and valued the relationships he had built over the years.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his many interests, his love of music and travel, and the countless good times shared with family and friends.

John’s life was shaped by the people he loved, the work he was proud of, and the things that brought him joy.

The memories he created and the impact he had on those around him will remain with his family and friends for years to come.

John will be missed, but never forgotten.

Where there is great love, there is great grief.

If you would like to make a donation in John’s name, the Fenwick Blackfriars Guild is a meaningful choice. The Blackfriars Guild was an important part of John’s life during his theatre days at Fenwick High School. Donations in his memory can be made here: Fenwick Blackfriars Guild — Donate