Meister, Walter F., 1901-1975.

Walter F. Meister was an administrator in the American Museum of Natural History. In his 53 years with the museum, Meister rose from office boy to the rank of assistant director and executive secretary.

Meister began his career in 1916 at the age of 15, as assistant to director Henry Fairfield Osborn, but transferred to the Bookkeeping Dept. after three months, becoming assistant treasurer in 1942 and general office manager in 1952. In 1953, director Albert E. Parr made Meister responsible for financial accounting, budgetary operations and planning, and in 1959 Meister became chairman of the Budget Committee and secretary of the Finance Committee. Meister retired in 1968.