Outstanding Alumnus
Richard C. Meisenheimer, Sr., ’76 * School of Business
R
ichard C. Meisenheimer, Sr., ’76,
can’t keep the deer and squirrels
out of his garden, but that’s
about all he hasn’t mastered. Meisenheimer is president and chief executive officer of Spectrum Associates Inc., a successful family business that serves leaders in the aerospace industry, including the Department of Defense, NASA, Sikorsky Aircraft, Boeing, and Bell Helicopter. He also dedicates much of his time to helping young people through the Boy Scouts of America and as a mentor to junior high school students. “In the vast majority of instances, I see them as great kids looking for an outlet and thirsting for information and looking to give back,” he says of the middle school students he mentors. “I tell them be your own person, be willing to do your own homework, and come to your own conclusion,” he says. “If you can be seen as a man of your word, that goes a long way.” It’s a model he’s lived by and carried into the Milford, Connecticut-based business begun in 1957 by his late father, Daniel Meisenheimer, a mechanical engineer. The company makes pressure switches, indicators, and valves for the aerospace industry. Meisenheimer, joined the business right after graduating from Southern. “I like the independence and the
Conn., 18 years ago when his son was 10,
family geneology and coin collecting, a
and continues today as troop leader. An
hobby his grandfather got him started with
responsibility,” he says. “It’s not a job, it’s a
extremely active community volunteer, his
as a youngster. And then there’s the gar-
family. I don’t look at this as a building
outreach efforts also include serving on
den. Meisenheimer is an avid gardener,
with 65 employees. I look at it as a build-
the board of directors of numerous organi-
but says he hasn’t found a fence the deer
ing of 65 family members.”
zations, among them, the Beth El Center in
can’t jump or a way to keep the squirrels
Milford, Conn., and the Alzheimer’s
from eating his tomatoes.
Greatly influenced by his parents and grandparents, Meisenheimer is com-
Association. The latter cause is close to his
mitted to “paying it forward.”
heart since family members have battled
wildlife receive more benefit that I do,” he
the disease and related disorders.
says with a chuckle.
An Eagle Scout and highly decorated volunteer for Boy Scouts of America, he began working with Troop 925 in Orange,
Meisenheimer also finds time for
“I’m not all that successful. The
By Joan Wells
several hobbies, including researching his Winter 2011 | 19
