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BORN
1952
DIED
2020
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Gary Melton Obituary
Dr. Gary B.
June 4, 1952
September 20, 2020
Gary B. Melton, 68, of Lenox, Mass., and Crozet, Virginia, died Sunday morning September 20, 2020, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass.
Born in Salisbury, N.C., June 4, 1952, the son of Harold and Marion Reeves Melton, he attended high school at Patrick Henry High in Roanoke, Va. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia in 1973 with high distinction and earned his PhD in Psychology from Boston University.
Since 2012, Dr. Melton was employed as the Associate Director for Community Development and Social Policy at the Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, Professor of Pediatrics, and Professor of Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Dr. Melton has received Distinguished Contributions Awards from the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, the American Psychological Association (four times, a unique achievement), the American Psychological Foundation, and Prevent Child Abuse America, among other organizations. He was the author of more than 350 publications and had traveled in more than 40 countries. Dr. Melton was deeply committed to making the world a better place for children and families.
Survivors include his wife, Robin Kimbrough Melton; and daughters, Jennifer Melton (Rene) of Granite Quarry, and Stephany Melton Hardison (Andy) of Aiken, South Carolina. He is survived by his mother, Marion Melton of Granite Quarry; brothers, David Melton (Joy) of Atlanta, Ga., and Scott Melton of
Richmond, Va.; and sister, Nancy Hewitt of Franklin, Tenn. He also is survived by his aunts and uncles, including Bobbie Finney and Anne and David Hoffman, all of Granite Quarry; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Julie Young.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Granite Quarry. Burial will be at Shiloh. Memorial donations may be made to UNICEF USA or Save the Children. Memories may be shared at Roche Funeral Home in Lenox, Mass., https://www.rochefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Melton
Sponsored by Roche Funeral Home Inc.
Philip Veeeman
September 19, 2022
Gary was important for advancing children´s rights in the world and was one of the founders of the International Journal of Children´s Rights (now in vol. 30). He was also a very kind and nice man. I miss him.
Philip Veerman
The Hague
The Netherlands
Philip Veerman
July 13, 2021
Was trying to get in touch with Gary and looked for his new e mail. I learned that he passed away. A shock!
I knew he was not in good health but this did not expect.
Please forward my condolences to his wife.
Gerry Koocher
September 30, 2020
My first memories of Gary were working with him during his internship at Boston Children's Hospital, and later on his dissertation studying how children understand their rights. He was a brilliant, thoughtful, caring person whose voice and ideas inspired all who worked with him. Her persisted and advocated with intellect, commitment, and wisdom.
Robin, Jennifer and Stephany; please accept my warm condolences.
Mati Heidmets
September 30, 2020
Gary! Üks mu parimaid sõpru, vastutustundliku ja heatahtliku Ameerika kehastus. Sügav kaastunne Robinile, perele ja kogu laste õiguste eest võitlevale kogukonnale. Gary töö jätkub, Gary nimi on meie mõtetes ja südames.
Beth Molnar
September 28, 2020
Robin and the rest of your family - my deepest condolences on your loss. I am so sorry that Gary has departed this world. He gave so much to the world toward child protection, and was a role model for so many of us who work as scholars in this area. I cherish the time we got to spend recently in South Carolina as a group thinking about next steps and to talk more about the many contributions of Strong Communities. Our field will miss Gary always.
Liepa Boberiene
September 27, 2020
Gary wasn't just an incredible professional mentor and systems change maker, but he epitomized friendliness and humanity. I will always remember traveling to Clemson for the first time. My future roommate Natyra and I were dropped off at Gary and Robin's house to stay the weekend while they were away and we looked for apartments. We could feel their compassion and generosity before we'd even met. We soon experienced first hand, and over and over again, what truly remarkable people they are. I am still moved by their genuine kindness and I feel so fortunate to have grown with their guidance. Gary's goodness and talent will always be a part of the many students, colleagues and loved ones he influenced over the years. May we honor his work and may his memory be a blessing.
Mary Sullivan
September 27, 2020
Dear Robin, Jennifer and Stephany, I am so sorry Gary died. He gave so much to the world, and we are better because Gary was here. I had the opportunity to serve with Gary many year ago on a Blue Ribbon Panel evaluating an adolescent program, and saw first hand the careful and impactful work he did. We will miss Gary very much.
Theodore Bober
September 27, 2020
Gary wasn't just an incredible professional mentor and systems change maker, but he epitomized friendliness and humanity. I will always remember traveling to Clemson for the first time. My future roommate Natyra and I were dropped off at Gary and Robin's house to stay the weekend while they were away and we looked for apartments. We could feel their compassion and generosity before we'd even met. We soon experienced first hand, and over and over again, what truly remarkable people they are. I am still moved by their genuine kindness and I feel so fortunate to have grown with their guidance. Gary's goodness and talent will always be a part of the many students, colleagues and loved ones he influenced over the years. May we honor his work and may his memory be a blessing.
Jim Ogloff
September 27, 2020
I am very saddened to hear of Gary's death. He was a giant in the field who left an indelible mark on all those whose lives he touched. I was most fortunate to complete my PhD under his supervision and to benefit from his mentoring. He will live on in his work and the memories he created. My sincere condolences to Robin, Gary's beloved daughters, mother, and family.
Daniel Wolfe
September 26, 2020
Robin, Stephany, and Jennifer,
Please accept our most sincere condolences for your loss. Gary was the most instrumental person in my graduate law psychology program being my supervisor, and my wife Cathy and I have so many fond memories of Gary's mentoring. He was such a kind and generous person and was one of the most brilliant scholars I have known. He will be missed. God Speed!
Arelis Moore de Peralta
September 26, 2020
Robin, Stephany, and Jennifer, we are also grieving alongside you the sudden and sad loss of a wonderful mentor, friend, and professor. Dr. Melton was a supportive and kindhearted human being, who expressed joy and promoted consciousness raising about the issues affecting vulnerable people, families, and communities. He will be missed by many, who like me, admire and respect him for his personality, contributions, and passion for helping others in need.
Gail Goodman
September 26, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will admire you and miss you always.
Alden Abbott
September 25, 2020
I met Gary in September 1970 and last saw him in June 2019. Gary was one of the finest men I had the privilege to know. He was a liberally educated scholar and compassionate humanitarian, who also was blessed with a wicked sense of humor. He will live on in my memory. God bless you and Rest In Peace, friend, you made the world a better place.
Alden Abbott
Kelli Hughes
September 25, 2020
Robin, Stephany, and Jennifer -
I am so sorry for the loss of Gary. It was my pleasure to be able to work with him and learn from him - a true academic with a heart of gold; not to mention a great story-teller.
Thinking of you and your family
- So sorry for your loss -
Kelli Hughes
John Petrila
September 24, 2020
I had the good fortune to work with Gary early in my career and my association with him was a great gift. He was one of the smartest, most insightful people I have ever met. His work to create an international legal framework for children's rights was ahead of his time and represented a deep and lifelong commitment to finding ways to end abuses that had persisted for decades. He was a true giant in his field and his influence will last deep into the future. I am very sorry, Robin, for the loss of Gary.
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