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Melvin Burke Obituary
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Lindsay Newland Bowker, World Mine Tailings Failures
May 1, 2025
I wanted Family and freinds of Dr. Brke to know that I recently found his magnificent 1987 study on Bolivia's mining woes and am caalaling it to international attention in connection with our work documenting a recent catatastrophic mine failure.His message to all post colonial nations is central not just relevant today as 67% of world mineral production is from such nations
Marcelo Holot
May 24, 2013
My Friend Melvin, You Will live always in my thougth and in my memory. You open my mind like no One , life decided your eternity way Now You know the secret of our questions. Rest in Peace my Americano Friend! Some day Will meet in the universe of our soul. Tu amigo Marcelo Holot.
marcelo holot
November 4, 2012
June and April and Pam. Today I know the news about my friend, Prof. Emeritus Melvin Burke. We talck a great deal in his visitin Argentina 87,2006/07 and work together, In my travel in USA during 18 month, we continue our relation.
Rest in peace my friend!
Marcelo Holot
Argentina
Cabello ortiz Edgar Ale
November 3, 2011
Queridisimo amigo,
Te seguimos recordando a más de un año de tu partida al cielo.
Ayer día de muertos adultos te prendimos una veladora en nuestra ofrenda familiar....Nunca te olvidaremos queridísmo amigo
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João Moura
September 15, 2011
One day, back in 2003, professor Melvin came for a lecture at IFRN. The lecture was about Economy and Globalization for a class of international trade students. I was invited to do the simultaneous translation of his lecture from English to Portuguese. Before the lecture, I was insecure concerning complex economic vocabulary. Professor Melvin was extremely comprehensive and with a positive attitude, he tapped on my shoulder and said: "Don´t worry, you can do it, I´ll help ya!" and I got inspired by his confidence on me, and… I did it successfully. At the time he was very excited with the new elect president Lula of Brazil, who later lifted over 30 million people out of poverty. Yes, Prof. Melvin was right about Lula. I could notice that professor Melvin was a great professional and human being, and that meeting of ours will be definitely part of my autobiography.
Prof. João Moura
Natal, RN-Brazil.
FAMILIA CABELLO ROSALES DE CIUDAD DE MÉXICO
Familia Cabello Rosales
February 10, 2011
Querida April,
Somos la familia Cabello Rosales, e hijos y sobrinos, y vivimos en la Ciudad de México. Toda la familia fuimos muy buenos amigos de tu papá Melvin. Por lo que queremos expresarte que sentimos mucho tu pérdida, así como tambien decirte que lo recordaremos, y que él vivirá en nuestros corazones por siempre. Te invitamos a tí y a tu familia a seguir la relación con nosotros pues estamos seguros que así lo hubiera querido tu papi, quien fue un conocedor de la cultura latina y luchó a favor de ella a través de sus ideales. Aquí una foto de la familia que te envía un gran abrazo, y te reitera su gran amor y gratitud hacia tu querido papá.
Christpher Altamira
January 3, 2011
Qerida April, nos es dificil saber de la perdida de tu padre, un gran amigo, muy querido por toda mi familia,recibe nuestras condolencias, y un cariñoso abrazo.
Ale
Edgar y Ale Ortiz Cabello
January 2, 2011
Francisco Vargas
January 2, 2011
April and June, we have sweet memories about Melvin. The ISINI members have lost a great free thinker and a great friend.
Edgar y Ale Ortiz Cabello
December 31, 2010
June, April
Very sad to know about our dearest friend Melvin. He loves us a lot, his mexican friends. We share with Melvin a lot of great moments attending many international conferences. We are so proud about his sympaties to America Latina and speacially Mexico. He always sent us a christmas card signed by his wife and daughter, June and April and Melvin, since this year we had not such gift we were to internet were unfortunately there are the very bad news.
I want to tell you Melvin, thank you very much for your friendship and love.
Miller Myers
December 22, 2010
June,
Sorry to read of Mel's passing. I still sometimes think about our days at Wayne State and the University of Pittsburgh. I remember once when Mel & I did an ill-fated canoe trip on the Youghigany River, dumping in the first small rapid. I also remember going to Central City with him and attending some sort of festival in the basement of a Catholic Church. He was an interesting and spunky guy.
Daniel Cheng
September 14, 2010
May Dear Mr. Melvin Burke rest in eternal peace and love!
Daniel Cheng (West Lafayette, IN.)
Sarah
September 14, 2010
April and June,
Please take care of yourselves as your mourn and grieve. I'm just glad that I was able to be there for the celebration of Mel's life.
Thinking of you both,
Sarah
Marcia Dicks
September 12, 2010
Dear Pam, My sincere sympathy to you on the loss of your soul mate. Melvin was a free spirit and always added a spark to our conversations. My favorite memory of Melvin is when the two of us were sitting on our porch in MI talking about our religions and sharing our views. Until then, I had never seen the "soft", almost vulnerable side of Melvin. He shared his memories, laughed, shook his head on some things - and as I was listening I knew (although he had questions) his faith was still in his heart. We will both miss him.
Timothy Dicks
September 12, 2010
Pamala from your brother,
While in the course of our short stay on earth we meet someone as colorful, playful, and memorable as Melvin Burke.
I am reminded how different we all are, when allowed to be free, and what a blessing that is. I will never forget your Melvin he was truely one of a kind. May God find room for him and I'll Pray we all see him later
Donald Joseph
September 10, 2010
Dear April,
It's always hard to know what to say in the wake of such a painful loss; so accept my deepest sympathies during this time of loss. Also, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Don
Barb Dembraski
September 9, 2010
To Aunt June and April,
Your in my throughts today and forever,I will miss Uncle Mel..Love
Jessica p
September 8, 2010
Dear April,
They just go like that.Snap and they are gone!! but the memories remain forever, the laughter still rings and the cigar smoke still lingers and tears still fall while remembering Uncle Melvin. Jess
Nadya Pimenova
September 8, 2010
Dear April,
My thoughts are with you and your family. Nadya
Zaira Arvelo-Alicea
September 8, 2010
Dear April, just reminding you that there's people at 'home' who have you in their thoughts.
Genevieve Aglazor
September 8, 2010
April,
I wish you God's guidance and peace. My thoughts are with you. Peace.
Genevieve
Gail Randall
September 8, 2010
Pam, We are so sorry for the loss of Mel. I know what a big hole that leaves in your heart. He always made us laugh and I am greatful that Ralph loved to take pictures. We have some great ones of Mel. We will miss him dearly. Pam, as part of the Costigan Crew, our thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything we are all just a step or phone call away. We will see you at the Memorial on Sunday.
Love,
Ralph, Gail, Staci, O'Keefe, Kristi, Jasmyn and Jordyn
Cristanna Cook
September 7, 2010
Dear June and April;
When Mel was here I knew all was right with the world. We feel very sad at his passing. Please call or email Dick and I and let us know how you both are. We are sorry we did not keep closer contact with you all over the years.
Cristanna and Dick [email protected]
Steph Wong
September 7, 2010
Salud, amor, dinero, y tiempo para guzar todo!
My thoughts and my prayers to all of your family.
Bruce Littlefield
September 7, 2010
April and June, I was so sorry to hear about Mel. He and I collaborated on the graduation speech I gave at UM in 1987. It caused such a stir that no valedictorian has been allowed to speak since. He was certainly one of a kind. We will all miss him.
Grace Purvis
September 6, 2010
June and April,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I know God will give you strength to remember the good times and the happy memories. This will keep Mel close to you both. I love you. Miss you.
Christine Montano-Saad
September 6, 2010
Dear June and April, our Montano and Shedlock families recall what a feisty, interesting person Melvin Burke was! He loved to argue with us younger generations of the families, and even, at times, he was bold enough to tussle with our mother, Grace, and even his loving Grandma Shedlock. I remember fondly how you put me up at your home when I was visiting Maine with my dear college friend, Mary Beth Celer, who died from cancer at the early age of 47. Melvin was truly one of a kind, and how he was adventurous in going to so many countries, and the work he did at the University of Maine, Orono, as well as the many students he taught. I had spoken to him a few weeks before his death, and he was much mellowed from our long conversation and reminiscing with photos that my mom had passed on to me and my siblings after she passed away in January 2001. She had saved many photos from Central City, PA and we tried to figure out who all these relatives were, and I promised those photos to Melvin. He kept telling me, "The reason for this call is...that I (he) wanted to give all of his money to his (our) Grandma Shedlock's beloved Russian Orthodox Church in
Central City, PA. How that would have touched her, although Mel wasn't very religious. He studied with Jesuit priests in South American countries, many dangerous areas, and how he came to respect those Jesuit priests and learn from them as well as teaching in Jesuit colleges.
How appropriate that the word "Peace" in his legacy showed the passion he showed in all the endeavors he embraced. God bless you, June and April, as well as Mel's Michigan relatives, both Shedlock and Montano families. We will miss you and send you off to higher places. Godspeed!
September 6, 2010
June and April, so sorry to hear of your loss. I am more than aware of the pain that comes with losing a loved one, as I will be marking the one year anniversary of my Mother's death on Sept 10th. Nothing will take the pain away, but it will become easier with time to think about the good memories that came with having your husband/dad her with you instead of the loss of not having him here with you today. I am thinking of you both as well as all the friends and family that will miss him too.
I am sorry I will not be able to attend his memorial this weekend. My memories are fond of your dad April. As someone who grew up with you I still remember the "Haunted House" you put on every year and how your dad was a big part of helping with that. He was a hoot and will always be remembered that way in my mind. Again, my condolences to you and your Mom. Peace be with you both. Love, Erica (Smith) Green, Sour Lake, TX
September 6, 2010
Mel, we will miss seeing you walking in the back yard with Pam and Blackie. We will cherish memories of the good times spent together in the neighborhood. Your friends and neighbors, Mireille and Kevin.
Pamela Bell
September 5, 2010
On September 12 there will be a celebration of Mel's life at the home of Pamela Bell where Melvin lived his last seven years in his barn loft apartment on the banks of the Penobscot with his cat Blackie and his "best neighbors" in Costigan Village, Milford. He will be terribly missed as "good friend", inveterate teacher, story teller, mentor and companion in later life. For more information contact Pamela at 827-5688.
April Ginther
September 5, 2010
Dear April, We are all thinking about you every day and want you to know you have many friends here at Purdue. We know what a great guy your dad was because we know you. Sympathy and warmest regards to you and your mom.
Luciana de Oliveira
September 5, 2010
Dear June and April, my thoughts are with you at this time. I didn't know Mr. Burke personally, but I've had a chance to hear from April about his love for traveling (and his desire for April to visit Brasil, my country of birth) and his wishes for April to complete her Ph.D. I have confidence that both of these will become a reality very soon. Com carinho,
Gina & Wayne Tapp
September 4, 2010
June and April, our thoughts are with you both. Wish we could be there in person next weekend, but hope you know our love extends to you both from the West coast to the East coast. Peace to you both.
April
September 4, 2010
Services for Melvin Burke will be held on Friday Sept 10 and on Sept 11 at June Burke's residence. Please contact June Burke or April Burke for further details.
Anne Fleischmann
September 4, 2010
What a character Mel was... I always looked forward to his coming in to our dental(Dr. Kassa's)office . He had such great stories to tell of his latest exploits. Rest in peace....
April Burke
September 4, 2010
Please join us for a celebration of Mel's life and passions (fete) on Friday and Saturday 9/10 - 9/11, from 3 pm on. Thank you so much for the wonderful entries about him.
April and June Burke
September 4, 2010
There will be a "fete" (celebration) for Mel on Friday 9/10/10 and 9/11/10 at April and June's house from 3 pm, each day on, to recognize his life and passions. We look forward to seeing you. Thank you so much for all your condolences.
April Burke
September 4, 2010
Services for my father, Melvin Burke, will be held at June Burke's residence on Friday September 10th and Saturday the 11th. Please contact April or June Burke for further information.
April Burke
September 4, 2010
Services will be held on Friday September 10th and 11th at the residence of June Burke. Please contact April or June Burke for details.
Maggie Tyler
September 4, 2010
June and April -- it's the end of an era with Mel's passing. I am so blessed that I knew your family. You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Maggie Tyler
Cathy Berthiaume
September 4, 2010
June and April, I was so sorry to hear about Mel. My thoughta are with you. Please let me know if I can help in anyway.
Cheryl and Dave McComish
September 3, 2010
June and April, You are in our thoughts at this time and we send our deepest sympathy for the loss of your husband and father. Our many wonderful Maine memories of your family are in our hearts today and always.
Cara McComish
September 3, 2010
April and June please know that you are in our constant thoughts over these days since Mel's passing. We love you both so much. I have so many fond memories of time spent with your family in my childhood days in Maine, and I am grateful for them at this time.
Patty Patterson
September 2, 2010
June and April,
Please know that we are all thinking of you at this time as you make your way through Melvin's passing.
Dave and I send you our condolences and our thoughts.
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