I am reposting this article to mark the death of Stephen Dyer Myers, 24 June 2016. Top photo: Sunrise over Lake Tahoe.
In an earlier post, I mentioned the only child of my great-uncle Frank Colby Myers. After discovering that the son was still alive, in an assisted living facility in northern California, I managed to speak with his friend and business partner, Margie Kovarik-Maxhimer. Margie gave me an extensive life-history of cousin Steve, and assured me that he would approve of my posting it here, where I am adding details from other sources.
Stephen Dyer Myers was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 07 July, 1921, to Frank Colby Myers and Mildred Dyer [Myers]. Soon thereafter, the family settled in Oakland, California, where Frank worked for many years as a city engineer, in addition to his career as a high-ranking officer in the U.S. Marines and Marine Reserves.
Stephen completed undergraduate studies at U.C. Berkeley, hurrying to finish in three years as World War 2 approached. He was not admitted to Naval ROTC, so could not follow in his father’s footsteps in the U.S. Marine Corps. Instead, he joined the Army, and served as a paratrooper in the European theater. I guess that must be pretty much the equivalent of the Marines when it comes to toughness. Margie attributed Steve’s later success in civilian life partly to the attitude he acquired as a paratrooper.
After “The War,” Steve went into business in South Lake Tahoe, California, where he achieved immediate and lasting success. His first venture consisted of two drive-in theaters, which were immensely popular in the post-war years, especially at a tourist destination in “car-happy” California. He soon sensed that the exploding popularity of television was a threat to this enterprise, and sold the drive-ins while they still would fetch a good price.
The chronological order of the next several ventures may not be quite correct, and some of them overlapped with others. Steve completed an M.B.A. at Stanford. It took him three years, because he did not attend fall term. He married Jean Thayer in 1953 (they never had children). He owned a ski shop, and for a time, a resort. Margie said it was named Echo Mountain, but there is currently no resort by that name, except a rather new one in Colorado.
Stephen’s most successful and long-lived business began as a hamburger cafe in downtown South Tahoe. Although it was only open summers, it was a great money-maker. After a few years, he expanded at the same location and added a souvenir shop. By a combination of luck and good timing, the shop acquired a large quantity of “smiley-face” buttons at the exact time they became wildly popular. Another timely move was into souvenir and custom-printed t-shirts. Even while setting up with them, Steve scoffed at the idea as a short-lived fad. “Who would want a t-shirt printed with advertising or a slogan?” he said, just before sales took off, and the t-shirts remain popular even today. Indeed, here is Google’s street view of the shop, still partly owned by Stephen and managed by his partner Margie.
In its heyday, the business was so successful that during the winter closure, Steve and Jean spent their time skiing in Europe. However, in the 1980’s, Jean developed Parkinson’s Disease, and could no longer tolerate a winter climate. The couple moved to Fairfield, California, while still holding the business and a residence in Tahoe. Jean passed away in 2008; later, Steve moved into assisted living on the same retirement campus.
I encouraged my daughter, Diana Hotelling Lana and her husband, who live near Fairfield, to pay Stephen a visit at Christmastime. They did so, showed him some photos old and new, and had a brief but very cordial chat. Steve has some challenges, but retains that “can-do” paratrooper attitude. Kudos, cousin Steve! 
Sue Tracy
Jul 11, 2012
I am glad to hear/see that Steve is still here. Had tried to call him at Christmas and the phone had been disconnected. Did not know where to check I worked for Steve at the Goodie Chest in the 70,s Let me know how he is. I miss talking to him. Thanks, Suzie (that’s how he spelled my name)
George
Jul 11, 2012
Thanks for the comment & glad you found this. Am emailing you some contact information.
Bill Kingman
Jul 20, 2012
My hero; and now, your site clues me that Steve is only 20 years my senior. I attended his original drive-in theatre at Stateline in the early 1950’s (“The Third Man”) and continued when he moved it to Bijou in 1955 or 56 to what is now a ritzy residential neighborhood that uses his theatre’s originally-unpaved entry road, now called “Glenwood Way.” His theatre in summertime distributed 5×7 postcards listing his movie schedules everywhere. As a local radio deejay, I recorded intermission music tapes played at his drive-in in the 1960’s-70’s.. Steve traded with free movie passes for me.
I do SO want photographs of his theatres and history! Please contact him and me!
Elizabeth Baxter Wakeman Hardin Duckworth
Aug 7, 2012
Still as handsome as always! Steve and Jean were good friends throughout the 60’s and 70’s. I moved to Maine in the 80’s and lost touch, but always a fond thought of sitting in the backyard at the house in Al Tahoe facing the the
meadow, having a drink and watching the sunset. I am saddened to hear of Jean’s passing in 2008. Steve however, looks like he drank from the fountain of youth. I come out to California often to visit my mother in assisted living, she’s 95 and would love to pay Steve a visit or to write to him if you could send me an address.
Sherry Paisley
Sep 8, 2013
I’m so glad to have news of Steve, my husband Tom and I spent many weekends with Steve and Jean at Echo Summit and at their home at S. Lake Tahoe. Tom (deceased 9/8/11) thought the world of Steve and we always had a wonderful time together. I would very much like to have Steve’s current address so I can write to him.
Sherry Paisley
George
Sep 10, 2013
Thanks for the comment. I’ll email you the address.
Jane Chamberlain
Mar 15, 2015
My father Lowell Chamberlain recently passed away. He and Steve went to Stanford together and remained good friends. I’d love to write to Steve if you should share his address with me. Thank you! Jane
Barbara Krueger
Aug 21, 2015
would like Jean;s obit…knew her for many years thru stained glass association, and did not know of her death. Thanks.
George
Aug 23, 2015
Sorry, I don’t have the obit. According to Social Security Death Index, she passed away April 2, 2008 in South Tahoe. That should help you find her obituary, assuming there was one.
George
Aug 23, 2015
After rereading my work, it appears that Steve and Jean had moved to Fairfield some time before her death, so you may check the papers in that area as well. Social Security lists the “last known residence,” not the place of death.