The Herman and Helen Meyer Nursing Scholarship Fund

After completing medical school, Herman settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he established his medical practice.  It was there that he met a young student nurse, Helen, who later became his wife.  Upon their marriage, Helen dropped out of nursing school because students could not be married and also enrolled in the nursing program.  Herman became a family doctor, delivering over 5000 babies, during his 50-year practice.  Helen assisted him at first, but as her own babies quickly came along, she devoted her time to raising and caring for five children.

Herman and Helen had many parallels in their lives.  They both lost a parent when they were young, came from very poor families, and because of hardship, both frequently lived with relatives.  Both Herman and Helen had an interest in medicine and lived to help others and throughout their lives, they both cultivated a sincere and life-long relationship with God. Since Helen could not fulfill her dream of becoming a registered nurse, her wish was to help others achieve their goals by establishing this scholarship for nursing students.

Their daughter Ruth wrote:  “The idea for a scholarship was a heart felt wish.  My mother was in nursing school when she met my father.  Together, they spent many anxious hours caring for a critically ill patient who recovered and later became a very dear family friend.  Even though she needed to drop out of school when she married, her nursing skills were polished when she helped my Dad establish his practice.  She also stayed home to raise 5 children, nursing each of us through a myriad of calamities.  She also became a volunteer for the Red Cross, teaching home nursing to many apprehensive new mothers and care givers.”