Obituary of Paul Richard Meier M.D.

Paul R. Meier, M.D., 76, passed away at the Marshfield Medical Center surrounded by family on January 28, 2023.

He was born on April 22, 1946 to Fabian A. Meier and Roberta Maxine Meier. His mother later married Palmer Wagner, Paul’s second father. 

He graduated from La Sierra University in Riverside, California and earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Thereafter, he began his career in Obstetrics and Gynecology, specializing in high-risk pregnancies and births. He practiced at Kaiser Permanente Hospital located in San Diego, CA, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center located in Denver, Colorado, and most recently at the Marshfield Medical Center, where he was affiliated with several hospitals in the Central Wisconsin area. During his career, he was passionate about all aspects of maternal/fetal health.

Paul retired from the practice of medicine in 2012, and then began working alongside his wife Rita as an owner and operator of the Blue Heron BrewPub. Whether Paul was working behind the bar or roaming the floor talking to patrons, he enjoyed serving the Marshfield community and the opportunity to stay in touch with many of his former colleagues, patients and their children. When not at the BrewPub, Paul could often be found on the golf course, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a consummate conversationalist, an avid reader and scholar, and loved to tell or hear a good joke or story. He had a generous heart and kind spirit and will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially those he called family.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Rita, his children Amy Meier-Foundos (Mark Foundos), Jill Kirby, Katy Zaleski (Pat Zaleski), and Adam Meier (Alyssa Meier), as well as his stepchildren Allison Lindquist (Dan Thies), Jonathan Lindquist (Alaina Larson), and Natalie Lindquist, and his grandchildren James and Evan Foundos, Jackson and Casen Zaleski, Chloe Kirby, Louis Thies, and Ellie and Caden Borgemoen. He is also survived by his brother, Ted Wagner, his sister Kathy Higgins, and numerous extended family.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at Blue Heron BrewPub on Sunday, April 30 from 1 - 6 pm with a time for sharing life stories at 3:30 pm.  

In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Paul may be made to one of the following charities. Paul was passionate about the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), a publicly funded source of news, education, and entertainment. He was also passionate about Planned Parenthood, supporting women’s reproductive health, especially for the underprivileged.

Paul’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com.