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Melvin Bohlmann Obituary
Melvin Arthur Bohlmann, born November 11, 1927, died peacefully at home on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Mel is survived by his son Gregory of Redwood City, CA (Pamela), and daughters Deborah of St. Louis, MO (Michael Kunz), Cynthia of Valparaiso (Keith Anderson), and Denise Simpson of Mason, OH (Scott Simpson). Grandchildren include SSG Adam Bohlmann Kunz (Dana Vahey), John Bohlmann Kunz, Miriam Bohlmann Kunz (Lindsay Wilson), Samuel Simpson, Jordan Simpson, Anna Anderson (Brian Fine), Jacob Anderson, and Morgan Anderson. Great-grandchildren are Athena Bohlmann Kunz and Edwin Bohlmann Wilson. Mel was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Miriam (Peters) Bohlmann in 2004. Carol Van Senus was his longtime companion in his later years, until her passing in 2020.
Mel grew up as a farm boy in Woodworth, Illinois, the oldest of 14 children (7 surviving). He served in the Army in the occupation forces in Japan 1946-47. He earned his B.A. from Valparaiso University in 1952 and M.A. several years later. After serving as teacher and principal at Cristman School in Portage 1952-1955, Mel found summer work at Indiana General magnet manufacturing plant in Valparaiso. He worked in research and development there until his 1992 retirement as vice president. Mel's research team published over 100 professional papers.
Mel was a community man. He participated in the Saturday Evening Club, Historical Society of Porter County, VU Alumni Association, Life Member of IEEE, Honor Flight Participant. He was devoted to his church, Immanuel Lutheran, where he served in many leadership roles from 1955 on.
Mel was a well-loved man of gentleness and wisdom. At age 97, on his last day, Mel pronounced, "Enough of this rigamarole," and we will miss him dearly.
Memorial service Friday, December 13, 1 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, preceded by visitation 11-1 p.m. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church and School or Porter County Community Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Melvin Bohlmann
Sponsored by The Times.
2 Entries
John A Johnson
December 12, 2024
I am grateful for the twelve years Mel and I worked together, first as Indiana General then as I G Technologies, traveling the world and doing grunt work developing commercial Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets. A friend, colleague and man of faith.
Susan Livarchik
December 11, 2024
Mel was a beloved member of VOLTS ( Valparaiso Organization for Learning and Teaching Seniors) affiliated with the Valparaiso University Education Department.
He made an outstanding presentation to our group in November of 2022 on Magnets and Myths. He had quite a memory of earlier Valparaiso and shared about his travels abroad to Europe, Japan, and China collaborating on his scientific knowledge of magnets with others in the field. I remember seeing him recently at one of our Fall 2024 meetings. We will miss his presence at our VOLTS meetings. My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mel.
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