Howard Charles Mel

I met Howard and his wife, Nancy, on a Sierra Club "High" trip in August, 1968. He played some kind of instrument - maybe a mandolin or harmonica - in an informal group that provided evening entertainment around the campfire. He and Nancy were such friendly people, which helped my decision the following year to move to the Bay Area, where I eventually married another member of our musical entertainment group, composer Ernst Bacon. Howard and Nancy were wonderful people and always will be...

I met Howard in the NROTC at Callahan Hall In July 1943 and we became friends for life. I am now 100+. My life has been more complete during my many meetings with Howard, especially during the annual outings of our NROTC alumni group, including the one in France.

Very sorry to hear of Howard's passing. My father, John H Lawrence and Howard Mel, worked together at Donner Lab where the focus was always using science to improve medical care. After my father died, I would see Howard at the Grove and Lawrence Hall of Science. He was always so friendly and outgoing, he loved life and music, his many friends will certainly miss him. Please let me know when the memorial service will take place. Jim Lawrence Lafayette, CA