Longtime Vernon Area library director dies after cancer battle

Robert "Allen" Meyer, the veteran director of the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, died Sunday after a seven-month battle with cancer.

Mr. Meyer died at his Buffalo Grove home. He was 57.

Lincolnshire Mayor Brett Blomberg credited Mr. Meyer for creating a casual, friendly atmosphere at Vernon Area during his 20 years as its leader.

"It's like an extension of your home," Blomberg said. "And that was all his doing."

Known as Allen to friends, co-workers and the public, Mr. Meyer was born in Lander, Wyo. He was one of 11 children, and the family moved around the Pacific Northwest quite a bit, said Laurel Vlcek, Vernon Area's director pro tem.

He earned a bachelor's degree at what's now National-Louis University and a master's degree at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Vlcek said.

Before coming to Vernon Area, Mr. Meyer worked in the Chicago Public Library system and at the Barrington Area Library. He joined Vernon Area as a children's librarian in 1985 and was named director in 1988.

Mr. Meyer oversaw the library's move into a new building in 1993, and has been praised for bringing the facility into the digital age.

"Our library was Allen's passion," Vernon Area board President Jane Berman said. "I will always remember how excited he was when proposing new improvements and projects to the board during our meetings. His enthusiasm was infectious."

Foreign-language sections for Asian and Russian patrons were his idea, too, Vernon Area board member William Apostolakis said.

"As an administrator, he was excellent," Apostolakis said. "The board respected him for his foresight and his care for the public."

Mr. Meyer was diagnosed with cancer in November. He had been on medical leave since late May.

As Mr. Meyer's health slipped in recent weeks, his work was publicly recognized by village officials in Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills - the largest towns in the library district. Proclamations honoring him were adopted by village boards in those towns.

Mr. Meyer's survivors include his life partner, Jeff Honokaupu, and seven brothers and sisters.

Visitation is set to begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.