Douglas Freeman Melville Sr.

Niantic - Douglas Freeman Melville Sr., husband of Diana Rowland Eigen, son of George Horner Melville and Dorothy Freeman, died peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning, July 28, 2025, age 92.

He is survived by his wife and children: J. Hunter Melville of Woodstock, Vt., Douglas F. Melville Jr. of Simsbury; and his stepchildren, Christine Eigen Tuchler and William H. Eigen III of Boston; and his nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Melville was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., educated in the public schools of New Rochelle; a graduate of the Peddie School, Phillips Academy Andover, Dartmouth, he did graduate work at Syracuse and the University of Pittsburgh.

He served in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command as management analysis officer, and was discharged as a captain in the USAF Reserve. He was employed at Jones & Laughlin Steel (LTV) for 23 years in various sales capacities in New York and Pittsburgh. He was chairman of the AISI committee of Tin Mill Products Producers. He owned and operated an inn in Manchester, Vt. and later joined Weirton Steel where he was vice president of sales and marketing. On retiring in 1993, he was a consultant of Edgecomb Metals, and several other firms in later years.

He was a champion golfer at New Haven Country Club, and five times champion at Innis Arden Golf Club in Old Greenwich. He was a board member of Oakmont Country Club and runner-up club champion several times. He was a member and officer of the North Cove Yacht Club, sailing his boat Weetamoo.

Mr. Melville was a member of the Masonic Lodge Scottish Rites, and a Shriner in the Syria Mosque of Pittsburgh. In his early years, he was active in Boy Scouts and very loyal to Dartmouth College involved in interviewing, enrollment and serving on his Class executive committee. He was on the board of friends of Dartmouth Football and class agent for 53 years for his class at the Peddie School.

His interests included flying, gardening, golf, sailing and fishing. He and his wife Diana, and trusted English springer spaniel Heidi travelled far and wide to visit friends in their motor coach. His children, grandchildren and wife Diana were his true loves.