Melvin M. Chorich

1924 - 2017

Mel Chorich passed away on March 1 of this year. Born June 27, 1924 to Peter and Sophia Chorich in Perkins, California and predeceased by his sister Sally Chorich Davis in 2016, Mel resided in the Sacramento and Stockton area his entire life with the exception of his military service between 1943 and 1945. He was commissioned as a pilot in the Army Air Corps and flew combat missions in his P-38 over Europe before he was old enough to vote, assigned to the 82nd Fighter Group, 96th Fighter Squadron. Post-war, the GI bill took him to UC Berkeley where he graduated with a degree in geology. He worked 39 years at A. Teichert and Sons, Inc., performing a variety of roles in the aggregates and ready mix divisions before retiring in 1991. He continued with consulting projects with the company for an additional 10 years, scouting Northern and Central California for sand and gravel deposits. He married Aileen Betschart Chorich in 1953 and together they raised Martin Chorich of San Carlos, CA (Jacqueline Duboux, granddaughter Sophia), Laura Chorich of Sacramento, and Peter Chorich of Portland, OR. He spent his happiest days in the outdoors- hunting, fishing, camping and trapshooting. He was a member of the Gray Eagles, National P-38 Association, and The Teichert Irregulars. After Aileen's death in 1993, he developed an enduring friendship with Marilyn McRae. Together they traveled extensively and enjoyed the company of many friends. At Mel's request, the family plans no services and asks that any remembrances in his name to be made to the St. Sava Mission Foundation, P.O. Box 1243, Jackson, CA 95642.