Ronald "Otto" Meletzke
North Myrtle Beach
Otto Meletzke passed away at home early Friday, January 4, 2013 of cancer. Otto was born April 27, 1934 in Cleveland, OH to the late Otto and Hermine Fernengel Meletzke.
Otto received his undergraduate degree from Western Reserve University, Juris Doctorate degree from Ohio State University and was a member of the Federal Bar Association. Early in his career, Otto worked in Washington D.C. as a legislative attorney in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, The Department of Labor, and The Department of Health Education and Welfare. He was instrumental in writing the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. After 27 years, Otto retired in 1995 from the American Council of Life Insurance as Senior Counsel of Corporate Matters.
Otto was an eccentric man who loved to dabble in many hobbies. He restored antique cars, collected pens, played piano and carved walking sticks to name a few. He was the neighbor with the large collection of cars and the one who built and tested the loud engine of an ultralight airplane in his quiet, suburban neighborhood in Annandale, VA. Otto loved to ski, fish and discovered golf after moving to N. Myrtle Beach in 1999. In the later part of his life, Otto most enjoyed taking trips to Oregon to fly-fish. As an animal lover, Otto took joy in playing with his cats, taking care of his koi fish and watching the birds in his backyard. Otto was a raconteur and always had an amazing story to tell.
Otto is survived by his loving wife, June Honegger Meletzke and his three children, Kurt Meletzke of Durham, NC, Kimber Meletzke of Palo Alto, CA and Kristan Meletzke of N. Myrtle Beach and one grandson, Will Meletzke.
A message of condolence may be sent to lfhome@sccoast.net. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice, 1500 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526. or St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 801 11th Ave. North, N Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.
Published in The Sun News on January 8, 2013
