Richard James Meiners

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Richard James Meiners passed away peacefully at his home in Cape Coral, Fla. on March 19, 2025. Dick Meiners was an avid gardener and a resourceful businessman who founded the Maine-based seed and gardening supply company, Pinetree Garden Seeds.

Born on May 16, 1945, in Milwaukee, Wis., Dick Meiners was the only child of Florence and Richard Henry Meiners. The family relocated to Plymouth, Minn., outside of Minneapolis, Minn. He graduated from Wayzata High School in 1963 and headed east to attend Brown University, participating in the ROTC program. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 1967 with a major in medieval history. After school, Dick served four years in the Navy, two of which he was stationed on the USS Tallahatchie County, a supply vessel based out of Naples, Italy.

In 1970, Dick Meiners married Nancy Luce Meiners and they had three children, Nora (b.1975), Abby (b. 1976), and Ned (b. 1980), who they raised in Portland. It was in their home that Dick began Pinetree Garden Seeds as a one-page mail order catalog. The business grew quickly, and eventually moved to its current headquarters in New Gloucester where it resides today. Dick oversaw the business for over 30 years, and it is currently owned by his stepdaughter, Melissa Emerson. The company now annually serves over 75,000 customers across the country and has continued Dick’s vision of supporting small backyard gardeners.

Dick and Nancy eventually parted ways and Dick met Donna Childs in 1992. Dick and Donna were together for the remainder of his life, marrying in 2004 at their home in Portland. Dick and Donna enjoyed travelling and frequently returned to the Mediterranean which Dick had loved since his time in the Navy. Rather than meticulously planning their excursions, the two preferred to explore and book their accommodations as they went. Dick had a keen sense of adventure and if given the choice, would always take the road less travelled.

Dick and Donna purchased a home in Cape Coral, Fla. in 2011 and split their time between Maine and Florida.

In addition to his children, Dick is survived by three grandchildren, Wheeler, Ellis and Sloane. He will be sorely missed.