Search by Name
Menu
Search by Name
Bruce Errington Melchor III
Norfolk - Bruce Errington Melchor III, 64, of Norfolk, passed away Sunday, October 6.
Born to Bruce E. Melchor Jr. and Patricia Boyd Melchor in Norfolk in 1949, Bruce graduated from Norfolk Academy. He went on to attend Roanoke College, where he was student body president, and earned his MBA from the College of William and Mary. Bruce was the president of Boyd-Bluford, a wholesale distributorship, for over thirty years. The entire community felt the unfailing energy and work ethic he showed on the job, as he was often seen enthusiastically jetting around town.
Bruce led a life of public service, with a strong passion to help students achieve their educational goals. He was the longest-serving Board of Trustees member at his alma mater, Roanoke College (38 years), was a member of the Tidewater Community College Board (30 years), and became the first president of the TCC Educational Foundation.
He served as president of the Lochhaven Civic League (8 years) and as a member of the Virginia Zoo Board and the Cosmopolitan Club. He participated in several Norfolk City Council committees and was an active member of the church council at First Lutheran.
Bruce was known for his gentle, kind spirit, and his love of nature. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with family and friends on the Eastern Shore and sharing his passions with others. He also found beauty in man-made things as an avid collector of art and antiques.
Bruce is survived by his parents; his wife Elizabeth Fife Melchor; his two children, son Douglas Alyn Melchor and daughter Margaret Elizabeth Melchor; father-in-law Alyn F. Fife; brother R. Boyd Melchor; sisters Lee M. Turlington and Anne M. Bremus; and several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, at First Lutheran Church in Norfolk, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, Virginia 24153. Condolences may be offered by mail or online through hdoliver.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bruce was such a bright spot at Roanoke -- always smiling and genuinely happy to see you. He will be sorely missed.
Betsy Garrison Krut
October 25, 2013
To all the Melchor Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Bruce fondly from Roanoke College days. His level head and gentle heart certainly made him a standout. My most heartfelt condolences.
Deborah Manjoney
October 25, 2013
I was very sorry to learn of Bruce's loss. His work on behalf of TCC over many years bought us together many times and his leadership and stewardship of TCC and many other efforts was truly exemplary. I mourn his loss. Joe Buchanan, Beach Campus Provost (retired)
joe buchanan
October 19, 2013
Very sorry to hear about your loss. As a fellow brother in Pi Kappa Phi I have fond memories of Bruce. With my deepest sympathy.
Richard Costello
October 18, 2013
Pat, Bootie and Boyd...
I am so sorry to hear this. I remember all the great times growing up at Ocean View. My deepest sympathy to all of the Melchor family.
Martha Sue Byrd Williams
Stony Creek, VA
October 17, 2013
Bruce was so kind. I knew him at Roanoke College. He was friendly to everyone on campus; very highly respected amongst everyone, faculty and students alike. God bless you all during this difficult time. I know he will be missed by so many.
Cristina Michta
October 16, 2013
Liz,
I am so sorry to hear about Bruce. You and your
children have been in my thoughts and prayers. It sounds like Bruce was a very bright and caring man and will be deeply missed.
With sympathy,
Shirley Krieger
Shirley Krieger
October 12, 2013
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Francine Johnson
October 11, 2013
I have fond memories of Bruce, even before he met my sister, Liz. He was a lot of fun and very kind and generous. Rest in peace my friend. Love, Roberta
Roberta Fife
October 10, 2013
Dear Margaret and family, Margaret, I am so sorry to hear of your dad"s passing. He sounds like he was very good man!! I am sure he will be deeply missed by many people. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of your family. You have my deepest sympathies. Sincerely, Mark Varney.
October 9, 2013
Rest in Peace my friend.
Tom Coyle
October 9, 2013
To Bootie, Boyd and the entire Melchor family,
There are no words to fill the void left in the lives of all whom Bruce touched over the years. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers.
Jim Farmer
October 9, 2013
To Bootie, Boyd and the entire Melchor family,
There are not any words that can fill void in the lives of all whom Bruce touched over the years. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers.
Jim Farmer
October 9, 2013
Our sincere condolences to all of Bruce's family. Mary Kay attended Roanoke with Bruce and when we decided to relocate to Virginia Beach she called him. He picked me up at my hotel and showed me all the places to live that we should consider and took me to lunch at the Norfolk Yacht Club. I had not met him but we were good friends by the end of the afternoon. Mary Kay and I will miss our dinners together and seeing movies with him. He certainly has made our time in Va Beach a pleasant experience and we will miss him dearly.
Mary Kay & Charlie Carr
October 9, 2013
My condolences toi the family of Bruce Errington Melchor III in the passing of your loved one. May the God of comfort be with you. Ps.90:10. Ps.37:10,11,29. Sincerely, E. Mitchell.
October 9, 2013
We are very saddened by Bruce's sudden passing. He was such a wonderful person, and a "favorite" customer to all of us. He will truly be missed by all who were touched by his wisdom. His family and friends are in our hearts and prayers. With love and sincere sympathy, Southern Bank (First Colonial Branch)
October 9, 2013
Uncle Bruce (also my Godfather) was quite a character - a unique personality who took great delight in family visits and in finding the perfect gift for the particular person. One of my favorite annual events is the Deal family's Christmas Eve get-together with Bruce, Liz, Margaret, and Douglas. After Bruce learned that I was shopping for a condo, he thoughtfully bought me a toolbox. My favorite memory of Bruce is from when I was a child of perhaps 10. He took me, my sister, Kimberly Deal, my Grandmother, Emily Mitchell, and his son, Douglas, to the candy convention in D.C. The candy was for sampling, but we wanted to bring a voluminous trove of treasure home. The security guard stopped us at the exit, our pockets brimming with goodies. When she turned her head to answer a call from a colleague, Bruce declared, "run!" We made a hasty, breathless escape, contraband secured. I wish we had more time together.
Your cousin and Godson,
Thomas Deal
October 9, 2013
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Lester Blevins
October 9, 2013
Here are two of the fondest memories that I have of my brother as child: we loved to play this board game called "Cap the Hat" and I remember when he or I did just that, the excitement was equal to winning the lottery! The second fond memory: Bruce took me to see "On a Clear Day" and this is where I started to become interested in singing. He bought the album for us to review over and over again, which even included some dialog from the movie, to which we would play the characters. There were so many other stories and fond memories of my brother.. this one just came to mind at this moment. Bruce, I miss you and I promise that Comet will have the standards of living to which she is accustomed to, we share the same shih-tzu spoiling blood! I love you, Anne
Anne Bremus
October 8, 2013
Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results
Funeral services provided by:
H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments - Norfolk Chapel1501 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23517
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more