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Michael Melinkovich Obituary

Former Alaska resident Michael Melinkovich, 57, died May 21, 2009, in Farmington, N.M. A funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Rock Springs, Wyo. Internment will be at the Saint Joseph's section of the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. He was born July 16, 1951, in Rock Springs to Joseph and Emma (Anselmi) Melinkovich. He married Denice Walker in 1973; together they raised three sons: Clark, Matthew and Clayton. Mike relocated his family to Pinedale, Wyo., where he owned and operated M&M Welding. Mike and his family subsequently moved to Laramie, Wyo., where he attended and received degrees from the University of Wyoming in mathematics education and engineering. After completing his education, Mike and his family relocated to Eagle River, where he worked as a mechanical engineer. Recently, Mike transferred his employment to Farmington. Mike was also a very active father who helped his boys learn the value of hard work from the time they were very young. Mike encouraged his sons to pursue higher education and was very proud to see them graduate from the University of Wyoming. Throughout his life, he also developed endearing friendships and will be greatly missed by many. In the past year he was blessed to have the companionship of Janice Reynolds of Farmington. Michael is survived by his mother, Emma of Laramie; siblings, Paul (Barbara) of Evergreen, Colo., Mary Foianini (Larry) of Laramie, and Gary (Clarice) of Cheyenne, Wyo; sons, Clark (Laura) of Gillette, Wyo., Matthew (Sami) of Gillette, Clayton (Jeri) of Laramie, and Greg Chancey (Michelle) of Littleton, Colo. Memories of Grandpa Mike will be instilled in his eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph; and his brother, Joseph Jr. Memorial donations may be made to the Christopher Foianini Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contact: University of Wyoming Foundation, 1200 E. Ivinson Ave., Laramie, WY 82070; 307-766-6300.

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Published by Anchorage Daily News from May 27 to May 28, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Melinkovich

11 Entries

Toby Erickson

June 10, 2009

I worked with Mike for several years at Kuparuk. He was a very practical engineer. We worked together on many things, and he was always a pleasure to work with. He was always professional and focused, but at the same time was easy to talk to and fun to be around. He made being at work fun and enjoyable. He was more than just a work colleague, he was a good friend, and I will miss him a lot.

June 10, 2009

June 09, 2009

I have known Mike and his family because I grew up in Rock Springs with him. I knew Denice and him when they were dating. We always had a lot of fun and he was liked by many people. I have had the pleasure of meeting his wonderful sons.

I wish the family my condolences.

Diana Moser Christiansen

Max McAdams

June 8, 2009

I knew Mike for many years while we both worked at Kuparuk. We shared many a laugh, had wonderful talks about life and family, and passed many hours together both at work and during our travels to see our families in the Lower 48. Mike was a classic! A warm and charming man....quick with a smile and a greeting. The world was better for his presence.

My condolences to Mike's family. Godspeed to you.

Rob McPherson

June 2, 2009

I had the wonderful opportunity to go fishing with Mike and chat with him about everything from work to religion. There was always conversation about his family. He loved and praised his children. I will miss him and the long, chat filled hikes up the North Platte or Green rivers. My love to his family.

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Hong Nguyen

June 1, 2009

I spoke with Mike not too long ago, congratulated him on his transfer to Farmington, New Mexico. Mike and I plus others NSK work-related family members had ran so many 5K/10K Summer fun-run on the Norht Slope together. Officed next to Mike on the NS at Kuparuk, I have witnessed Mike worked hard and many late nights to get things done. Mike was a wonderful and fun person/mechanical engineer (NSK FLD MECH ENGR)to work with. Mike will be missed dearly by both; his family members and many of his long time friends, especially friends from the North Slope including myself. It is so hard to believe that Mike has passed. May God bless his soul and his love ones.

Marcus Casserd

May 31, 2009

I never actually met Mike, but I worked with him closely for a couple of years by phone and e-mail. It was always such a treat to speak with him and share thoughts, both about the job we were working on and life in general as well. As an engineer doing what I do for 25 years now, Mike stood out on top to work with as an engineer to come up with a practical solutuion with me and to make it not just interesting but fun at the same time. As I said, I never actually met Mike, but I was looking forward to visiting the Farmington area again and looking him up. His passing deeply saddens me, and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his loved ones. Mike was a special, special man.

Arend Natapradja

May 29, 2009

I knew Mike when he was transfer to my group in Farmington,NM. He was such a nice and smart guy. He made everybody smile in this group. It was a pleasure to know you. God bless Mike and his family.

Kathy Larson

May 28, 2009

Mike's friends and acquaintances in Pinedale were saddened to hear that he had passed away. He and his family were well-respected in our community and wonderful people. I taught Mike's boys and have fond memories of them. They were as personable as Mike and great students. It was always good to see and visit with Mike when he came to Pinedale to work on his home in the Upper Green. We will miss him. We have been, and will continue to pray for the repose of his soul,and for his family and friends as they grieve during this difficult time. Trite, but our sincere sentiments: May he rest in peace. Kathy Larson and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Community

chuck knecht

May 28, 2009

Dig a ditch was one of his nick names. Mike was such a pleasure to work with in Alaska. Recently I transferred to Farmington and seen Mike. We were going to get together, which I was looking forward to. I was also looking forward to working together again…
God bless Mike and his family.
-chuck knecht

Jay Murali

May 27, 2009

Mike will be sorely missed by all those he touched and we can all feel the better for having gotten to know him during his lifetime. His professionalism, pragmatism and easygoing demeanor were traits fit to be emulated. He was quite the charmer and befriended people at all levels. As one of his supervisors during his tenure at Kuparuk, I can truly say that he is among the best mechanical engineers I have had the pleasure to work with. He will always be my 'Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown'.
May God bless Mike's soul - our prayers are with his family at this trying time.

Maria Cherry

May 27, 2009

I considered Mike a friend, he worked for me and with me for many years at Kuparuk. He had passion for his work, and was an outstanding engineer. Mike saved the company millions of dollars and made Kuparuk a safer place to work with his skills. He was fun to work with, and when I think of Mike it will always be with a smile. I will truly miss him, he was one of a kind.

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