Retha Marie

Meier

Retha Marie Meier (née Matthews)

Retha M. Meier, 71, of Saint Louis, MO passed away on November 6, 2026 at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, MO. She was born on February 27, 1955 in Ironton, MO to the late Buster and Josephine (Slocum) Matthews.

Retha began her academic journey studying biology at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO). Following graduation, she was employed by the State Crime Lab in Joliet, Illinois, where she applied her scientific training in support of criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Retha lived a life distinguished by intellectual curiosity, dedication to education, scientific discovery, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. She was a university professor, botanical researcher, high school teacher, published author, and passionate nature photographer whose desire to learn and explore continued throughout her life.

Beyond the classroom, she would ensure her children would also appreciate nature and the study of sciences that her former students learned to also appreciate throughout her years of teaching. Her children would grow to love science and music because of Retha's passion and inspiration.

Her passion for science led her to pursue a PhD at Saint Louis University. She subsequently joined the university faculty, teaching science to students preparing for careers in education. She enjoyed sharing her knowledge and encouraging future teachers to develop an appreciation for science and the natural world.

Retha spent her life looking closely at the world around her. Whether through teaching, scientific research, writing, or photography, she found meaning in understanding the details others might overlook. Her legacy lives on in the students she taught, the scientific knowledge she helped advance, the publications she left behind, the photographs she captured, and the many lives she touched.

Beyond the classroom, Retha devoted her summers to botanical exploration and research, specializing in pollination biology and the relationships between plants and their pollinators. With support from a National Geographic grant, she traveled to Australia to study rare orchids and their pollination mechanisms. This research culminated in the publication of Darwin’s Orchids Then and Now, co-authored with Peter Bernhardt. Closer to home, she studied rare orchids native to Missouri and Tennessee, as well as milkweed pollination. Her work resulted in numerous scientific articles contributing to botanical knowledge.

Retirement did not bring an end to Retha’s scientific pursuits. She developed a particular passion for nature photography, focusing on plants and the insects that visited them. She and Larry traveled the world together and enjoyed observing nature while gathering research. She especially enjoyed capturing flowers and their pollinators together, documenting the intricate relationships that had fascinated her throughout her research career. As a member of the St. Louis Camera Club, she enjoyed learning from fellow photographers, sharing her work, and competing for photography awards.

Her curiosity also led her to participate in additional research into bees and their reproductive behaviors. Working with Saint Louis University scientists and a retired bee expert, she helped investigate and authenticate findings intended for an upcoming technical scientific paper. Even in retirement, she remained actively engaged in scientific discovery.

Retha was an independent thinker who carefully formed her opinions and was not hesitant to stand by them. She believed in supporting her positions with facts and thoughtful reasoning rather than confrontation. She also had a warm, engaging personality and a special way of welcoming new acquaintances through friendly banter and genuine questions. She made a point of learning people’s names and frequently using them in conversation. These thoughtful gestures made people feel recognized and welcomed, leaving a lasting impression on those she met.

Retha is survived by her two children, Jared (Jessica) Edens of Brighton. Il and Jacob Edens of St. Louis, MO and her husband Larry Meier for over 19 years. She is also survived by her brothers George Matthews, Jerry Matthews, Bill Matthews of Fredericktown, MO and sister Nadra Bennett of Harrisin, AR.

A visitation in her hometown of Fredericktown, Missouri on Friday, November 13 will be at Follis and Son's Funeral Home at 11:00 until service at 1:00 PM with internment following at St. Michael's Cemetery