BIELEFELD, Germany — Julian Meyer, born May 5, 1956 passed away on November 8. He was 54 years old when he passed away of pancreatic cancer. Meyer was the vice president of product development for JAB, one of the world’s largest fabric wholesalers.

He will be remembered as a handsome, intelligent and personable man with many friends across the globe.

Most people outside of his family were totally unaware of his illness and were shocked to learn of his death only in recent weeks as the sad news reached beyond his immediate family.

Except for two notices in a local German newspaper near his home in Bielefeld, there was nothing further said about his passing out of respect for his wife Annette and their two children, Carolin and Oliver. The handwritten words on the newspaper notice from his family read, “you cannot give more days to life but more life to the days.” Frau Meyer explained that these words were handwritten in his diary from an entry in 2010.

“Julian left a huge hole personally and businesswise,” said JAB officials in a statement. The company did not want to comment out of respect to his personal wishes to not dwell on his death beyond his local community.

In his most recent role at JAB, Meyer was the head of product development. He joined his original post in charge of imports from the USA following Rolf Thomae and Hans Poepper in July, 1997. They have since retired from JAB. A replacement for Meyer has not been announced.

In that capacity, he had a wonderful relationship with his vendors, especially with the Tazi brothers, the owners of the PIF mill in Morocco. Colleagues will say that Meyer always talked about the hospitality the Tazi brothers extended to him. They once did a motor cycle tour together around Marrakech and there were so many other friends in Meyer’s life who will miss him.

JAB posted a notice in the local newspaper:

“Herr Meyer in full commitment and enthusiasm over 30 years filled his job obligations and has been liked by everybody as a respected colleague and he made friends with many in the Company. Over many years with admired strength, he was fighting his severe illness up to the end. In silent mourning we take leave. We always will keep his respectable memory and never will forget him; with deep condolences to his family.”