Dr. Melvin "Mel" Schroeder

July 19, 1917 - January 12, 2011

Dr. Melvin Schroeder went home peacefully to be with our Lord and Savior on January 12, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Melvin "Mel" Carroll Schroeder was born on July 19, 1917. He was the oldest of three children born to Milton Schroeder and Muriel (Carroll) Schroeder on July 19, 1917 in Saskatoon, Canada. He derived his U.S.A. naturalization due to his mother's citizenship, and, therefore, was qualified to serve in the military. Dr. Schroeder proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps. He graduated from Rogers High School in Spokane, Washington in June of 1936.

Dr. Schroeder enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was called to active duty in February of 1943. After being commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in August, Dr. Schroeder attended radar school at Harvard University and later served as a radar officer in Boca Raton, Florida. He requested and received an overseas assignment where he served as a radar officer in the 282 bomb group at Alconbury; the 398 group at Nuthemstead; and then with the 305 bomb group at Chelveston in England. He served in the Air Force of Occupation until he returned home.

Dr. Schroeder received his bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate from Washington State University. He came to Texas A&M in 1954. As Professor of Geology at Texas A&M University, Dr. Schroeder received many honors, awards, and achievements. Upon retirement, Dr. Schroeder continued to receive honors as Professor Emeritus of Geology at Texas A&M. In 1988, he received the Distinguished Geological Educator Award from the Texas Section of the National Association of Geology Teachers, and in September of 2000, Dr. Schroeder was recognized as one of the "giants of science" for the state of Texas. He was inducted into the Texas Science Hall of Fame on January 22, 2001.

Dr. Schroeder was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Betty Jo Darden Schroeder; his son, Robert Schroeder; his sister, Eleanor; and his sister, Inez Peacock of Michigan.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Johanna (Knoedl) Schroeder, of Bryan; a daughter, Carol Anne Schroeder of Austin; a daughter in-law, Sandra Schroeder, of Victoria; a sister-in-law, Eileen (Darden) Allison of Oregon; children by marriage: daughter, Linda Romer, and husband, Ted, of California; son, Richard Knoedl, and wife, Ann, of Austin; daughter, Susan Knoedl, of Pennsylvania; eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

The Schroeder family would like to express special thanks of gratitude to Mary Ann Brannen, of Home-in-Stead, for her loving and dedicated care to both Dr. Schroeder and his wife, Johanna Schroder, and to Hospice Brazos Valley.

In celebration of Dr. Schroeder's life, a memorial service will be held on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist, 506 East 28th Street, Bryan, Texas 77803.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Hospice of Brazos Valley in Bryan.