Walter Melnikoff

Walter Melnikoff, 89, of Canadensis, passed away on February 26, 2006 at Pocono Medical Center after complications resulting from ongoing health problems. He was the husband of the late Martha Belle (Haines) Melnikoff. He was born in Nether Providence, to Alexandra and Kiryl D. Melnikoff, graduating from Upper Darby High School. He received a B.S. from West Chester State Teacher's College with dual majors in chemistry and history. He then completed an M.A. in Physics from New York University in 1942, also working as a graduate teaching assistant. During 1942-1945, he served with distinction in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the U.S. Army's 76th Station Hospital, most notably in Leyte during the liberation of the Philippines and later, the occupation of Japan, achieving the rank of Captain and helping to save countless lives. He was an instructor at NYU during 1946-1947, originally intending to complete a doctorate in physics. Instead, however, he was lured back to Barrett Township in the Poconos, drawn by wonderful memories of work at Onawa Lodge, first during summers as a student, accompanied by the love of his life, Martha Belle Haines of Fairchance, Pa., a combat nurse with the 76th who passed away in 2002. Walter and Martha Belle raised two daughters, Alexis and Sonia. During 1947-1964, in his own words, Walter became a "practicing capitalist," using his knowledge of chemistry to design and build the first dry cleaning business in Barrett Township - "Mountain Cleaners" -in partnership with his wife's sister and his brother-in-law, John and Lorraine Tomko. He also opened a rug cleaning, carpet sales and installation firm in Scranton, becoming one of the first presidents of the National Institute of Rug Cleaning. Returning to the profession he loved so much, Walter became a social studies teacher at Pocono Mountain High School in 1964. There he specialized in teaching classes on the Soviet Union for 20 years and often said that teaching was perhaps the most honorable and rewarding profession in which anyone could serve. He taught his students that the key to a thriving democracy was the educated citizen. The Monroe County Courthouse, local school board meetings and sessions of the Barrett Township Supervisors became extensions of his philosophy and places to see democracy in action. Likewise, he was active in efforts to preserve Barrett Township's environment and heritage through his involvement in the Barrett Township Historical Society and the Concerned Citizens of Canadensis. Between 1968 and 1992, Walter also led or helped lead over 20 tour groups to Russia, visiting schools, and apartments of private citizens and even homes for the elderly realizing before many others that one of the greatest threats to Communism was exposure to the overall culture of humanity and generosity of America and the Western world beyond the iron curtain. He is survived by his daughter, Sonia Melnikoff White and her husband, Wayne of Canadensis; a cousin, Michael Kostyk and family of Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Lorraine Tomko of Canadensis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Alexis in 1998 and his wife, Martha Belle in 2004. There will be a viewing from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 4 at the Bolock Funeral Home, corner of routes 940 & 390 in Paradise Valley. Cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Barrett Friendly Library Capital Campaign Pledge, PO Box 604, Mountainhome, Pa. 18342