Melvin Meyer M.D.

Melvin Meyer, MD

1931 - 2015 BRATTLEBORO Melvin (Mel) Meyer, MD, was a husband, father, brother, grandfather, Navy officer, devout believer, medical doctor, carpenter, kayaker, volunteer, adventurer and fisherman. He died peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 in Brattleboro, VT with his family at his side. He was 83 and lived a full life until his last couple of years when Parkinson's disease took over his body. Mel was born in Moxee, Wash. on Sept. 29, 1931 in a humble home to Cornelius and Maude Meyer. Born at the height of the depression, the family was forced to move and live meagerly while Mel's father looked for odd jobs to make ends meet. Mel graduated from Seattle West High School in 1949 with High Honors and was encouraged to continue his education. He was awarded a full scholarship to Yale University, from which he graduated in 1954 with a degree in English. Sadly his mother died during his late high school years and missed seeing the only member of their family go to college. Mel returned to the West Coast for his medical education at the University of Washington Medical School. After graduating in 1956, he moved to Atlanta for his residency in both Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology at Grady Memorial Hospital. Following residency, he served in the Navy for 3 years as a commissioned medical officer. Mel then worked for Astra Pharmaceutical for 10 years in medical research both in the US and in Scotland. While in Atlanta, Mel was introduced to his future wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Boss from Asheville, NC, through a mutual church friend. They married in 1964 in Asheville. Together they had four children, Christopher Meyer of Brattleboro, Robert Meyer of Harvard, MA, James Meyer of Gloucester, MA, and Elizabeth Meyer of Melrose, MA. Beginning in 1979, Mel and Betty served as missionaries through the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries. For 7 1/2 years their family lived in rural communities in the Commonwealth of Dominica and Nepal. The Sudbury United Methodist Church in Sudbury, Massachusetts served as their home base during this time. All four of his children graduated from high school at Woodstock School, an international boarding school in northern India. While in Dominica, Mel oversaw the opening of the Marigot Hospital, a new hospital that had been destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979. He served one half of the island and was the only doctor in that region. Part of his weekly rounds were visits to the native Carib Indian Reserve. In Nepal, Mel served with the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) in the Tansen Hospital located in rural Palpa Tansen. The hospital was staffed by five doctors - mostly foreign missionaries. In addition to general medical hospital duties, he also at worked in the leprosy and tuberculosis outpatient clinics. Mel and his family returned to the US in 1986 and settled in Tuftonboro, NH. For 10 years he managed a private practice located in the northern part of Lake Winnipesaukee. He then moved to Nashua, NH and worked with the Harvard Vanguard Associates until his retirement in 2002. Mel was actively involved with his home church, Main Street United Methodist Church, Nashua. He was appointed by the city's mayor to serve on Nashua's Conservation Commission, which he served as Chairman from 2007 - 08. Mel moved to Brattleboro in 2013 to be closer to his family spending his last year as member of the Guilford Community Church, United Church of Christ. Mel loved fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, traveling to far places, sailing, camping, and enjoying the outdoors. He challenged himself to study and to write Hebrew. He read extensively on the interplay of science and religion in our lives. Mel is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, two daughters-in-law, and Betty. Although Mel and Betty separated in 1997, they remained close until his death. His older brother, Stanley Meyer, and his sister, Lois Chapel, are predeceased. FUNERAL NOTICE: A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 at 4 p.m. at the Guilford Community Church (38 Church Street, Guilford, VT 05301). Flowers may be sent directly to Guilford Community Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries by calling (888) 252-6174 or sending a check to Advance GCFA P.O. Box 9068 New York, NY 10087-9068.