Albert Meyer

Albert Johan Meyer passed away at home peacefully on the 3rd of February, 2022 in Plano, Texas surrounded by his family.

Albert was born on March 11th, 1951 in Cape Town, South Africa, to Francis and Esther De Beer Meyer.  Albert qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1983 after he had completed graduate and post-graduate degrees in accounting and economics.  He started his accounting career with Deloitte & Touche and then with Gabriel Shock Absorbers.  Albert taught accounting and economics for 15 years.  Albert was on faculty at The University of Natal, Durban, South Africa, where he became Assistant Academic Dean of Economics and Management.

In 1991, after Albert accepted a position to develop the accounting department at Spring Arbor University in Michigan, he moved to the United States with his wife and three sons.

Albert specialized in forensic accounting.  He received global attention for uncovering one of the largest Ponzi schemes in U.S. history (New Era Philanthropy Foundation).  The SEC’s enforcement division commenced an investigation, resulting in claims running into the hundreds of millions of dollars. The New York Times reported on Albert’s critical analysis of Coca-Cola’s accounting practices, while Albert was working at Martin Capital Management. Coca-Cola’s stock price took 15 years to return to its price at the time of the report.  Albert’s research on Tyco, while Albert was with the firm Behind the Numbers, ultimately led to the imprisonment of its CEO and a selling frenzy of its stock that broke New York Stock Exchange records.

In 2002, Albert started his equity research firm, Second Opinion, and in 2006, Albert and Dusty Culbertson established the asset management firm Bastiat Capital.  Bastiat Capital consistently outperformed the S&P 500 Total Return Index until it ceased operations following Albert’s cancer diagnosis.

Albert has received much recognition and many awards for his contributions to the accounting profession, including the Accounting Exemplar Award (American Accounting Association’s highest honor) and the Michiganian of the Year Award.  CNBC produced documentaries on New Era and Tyco that focused on Albert’s forensic accounting work.  Harvard Business School published many case studies based on Albert’s research on accounting practices and stock-based compensation. Upon the recommendation of the SEC, the Justice Department and the IRS, Albert Meyer was granted permanent residency in the US under the category of Alien with Exceptional Ability.

But this isn’t half of the story!  Albert is survived by his wife of 42 years, Melenie, his three sons and their wives: Thomas and Mary Meyer, John and Laura Meyer, and Douglas Meyer. Albert was a beloved “Oupa” to his six grandchildren: Jude, Piper, Simon, Lucy, Luke, and James. He also leaves his brother Theo and his wife, Christine, and his twin sister, Mariana, and her husband, Trevor. Each gave all they knew to give during Albert’s battle with cancer. Albert’s 9-year-old granddaughter, Lucy, who spent nine months in her own fight against cancer, was a inspiration and cheerleader during his battle.

One of Albert’s favorite things to do was to cook Sunday lunches for his family. “Café de Meyer” was the highlight of his week.  Even when he was unwell, Albert would make every effort to spend time with his sons and their families on a small area of land they had purchased together.  Albert loved the game of chess and he played whenever he could.  As a true South African, he enjoyed cricket, rugby, and soccer.  He was an avid reader. Not afraid to counter popular opinion, he was outspoken on many topics, favorites including China, the debt crisis and relentless wars.

In the early ’70s, Albert became a born-again Christian. He loved the Lord and found great joy in singing the old hymns of the faith.  Albert loved to share the gospel, particularly with the homeless in downtown Dallas.  After a long and courageous year fighting cancer, he was ready to meet his Savior.

A funeral service will be held February 11, 2022 at 1:00pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church 4701 Hedgecoxe Road Plano, Texas 75024

The service may be viewed at the link below.

https://vimeo.com/676132229