John Richard Meier

John R. Meier, 74, of Cold Spring, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ft. Thomas.

John was born on February 17, 1951, in Covington, Kentucky, to the late Clarence “Bud” and Mariella Meier.

As a lifelong learner who loved trying new things (with the clear exceptions of skydiving and bungee jumping), John lived an active, adventurous life. He loved nature, hiking, camping, and traveling.  He recently enjoyed trips with family to Nova Scotia and Siesta Key, along with memorable adventures to France (2024), Ireland (2017), Belize, Mexico, and many of America’s national parks—a passion he proudly passed down to his granddaughters, Avery and Scarlett.

John met the love of his life, Donna Rettig, at the age of 16 while attending high school. Their first date was the night of his high school graduation, beginning a love story that spanned 58 years. Donna and John were married on June 22, 1974. Together they built a family centered on love, commitment, and presence. They welcomed their son Jason in 1976 and daughter Emily in 1979. Fatherhood transformed John’s life.  He leaned into his role with unwavering determination—coaching baseball, supporting Boy Scouts, attending every dance recital, game, fishing trip, and extracurricular activity possible.

While raising his family, John worked full time and earned his Ph.D. in Toxicology, a testament to his discipline, perseverance, and quiet strength. He devoted over three decades of service to the Environmental Protection Agency as a Research Toxicologist, working from 1980 to 2011, and continued part-time thereafter.

“Papa Johnny” as he was known by his granddaughters, was goofy, loving, supportive, and endlessly engaged. His hobbies were many and joyful, including gardening, golfing, snow skiing, beekeeping, salsa dancing, marathon running, scuba diving, cooking, and bartending—especially crafting drinks for family and friends. He also volunteered part-time at City Link, Notre Dame Urban Education Center, and the Newport Aquarium, scuba diving to clean tanks. A devoted family man, John was often the last to leave his beloved Meier family gatherings, cherishing the close bond he shared with his siblings. He was also a proud local sports fan, cheering on the Bengals, Reds, and University of Kentucky Wildcats. He was also recently named an Honorary Kentucky Colonel.

John was a graduate of Covington Latin High School, Class of 1967, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Thomas More College, his Master’s degree in Microbiology from the University of Kentucky, and his Doctorate in Toxicology from the University of Cincinnati. He was a member of St. Joseph Church in Cold Spring, and belonged to the Cincinnati Ski Club as well as various golf leagues.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sister Mary Anne Behrens and his brother-in-law Bill Rettig.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Donna Meier (née Rettig); his son Jason Meier; his daughter Emily (Jeff) Goshorn; his grandchildren Avery and Scarlett; his siblings Bob (Cindra) Meier, Joe (Suzanne) Meier, Terry Meier, Susan Meier, and Jim (Monica) Meier; and his siblings-in-law Jim Rettig and Nancy (Brad) Rettig-Angle, along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 from 10:30-12:00 p.m. at 4011 Alexandria Pike Cold Spring, KY 41076. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m. There will be a EULOGY prior to mass at 11:55AM.  All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life reception at the Southgate Community Center, 301 W. Walnut St., Southgate, KY following the mass. John will be laid to rest at Mother of God Cemetery in Latonia, Kentucky.

Memorial contributions may be made to Covington Latin School or Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund).

To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please visit www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com