Melvin Andrew "Mel" Nyman

Melvin Andrew "Mel" Nyman passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023 with family by his side. He was born August 19, 1944 to Theodore and Margaret (Cousineau) Nyman in Big Rapids, MI. He worked hard on the family farm. He graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1962 and that summer he started classes at Ferris Institute (now University). He met Arlene Hammel when they were both Ferris students. Mel finished college in three years graduating in 1965. Mel and Arlene married that summer and moved to graduate apartments at Michigan State University where Mel pursued a Master's Degree in Mathematics. In 1967-1969, he taught at Ferris. Mel finished his PhD in Mathematics in 1972 at MSU. Moving to N. Manchester IN in 1972 with four year old Michelle and with one year old Eliza was a good move. Son Todd was born in 1975. Mel taught Mathematics at Manchester College (now University) for nine years. Mel's first sabbatical came to realization when the family moved to Golden CO 1979-80 where Mel worked at S.E.R.I. researching electric cars and mostly exploring the seaweed macrocystis (kelp) taking him to CA several times. Cross country skiing, sledding, ice skating, and exploring the mountains were hobbies. Then it was back to N. Manchester, Indiana. Later a teaching job came available at Alma College. As it was close to family, he moved his young family in 1981 to Alma MI. Mel taught at Alma College for 33 ½ years retiring in 2014. He was chairman of the Math Dept. for several years and served on various committees at the college. Several Alma College student trips were led by Mel and co-leaders to the Soviet Union, Russia, England and New Zealand. The students learned to appreciate other cultures, good food and the experience of world travel. Weddings and gatherings of former students have been enjoyed by Mel over the years. Many thank you notes mention what a good professor, mentor, listener and role model Mel has been. Mel met many lifelong friends on his sabbaticals to England and New Zealand. Other travels around the world took Mel to Australia, Chile, Ecuador, Portugal, and France and many others. Mel served on Alma City Commission since 1988. During his time as Mayor, he performed several weddings for friends. His hobbies were many: flying small engine airplanes, adding a family room onto the house in Indiana, creating in his workshop canoes and paddles, Adirondack chairs, furniture, toy wooden trucks and doll houses. The family ice skated on the rinks he built in the backyard. He was family-famous for quipping his pithy Dad Jokes. The Nyman family hosted five exchange students from Spain, Sweden and Japan, and families in the summer to swim in the pool. Many kids learned to swim in "Mel's pool". He was an active member of Alma United Methodist Church. Mel was a member of Rotary and was named the Paul Harris Fellow for promoting the cultures and peoples around the world. Mel promoted Alma College and the City of Alma whenever possible. He valued hard work, education, spirituality, all while having a good time, and he passed those on to his family. Mel is survived by his devoted wife Arlene Nyman, daughter Eliza (Dennis) Anderson, son Todd (Jill) Nyman, son-in-law Steve Kelly, grandchildren Laura, Emmett (Emma), Josh and Isaac, Jenna and Jacob, brother and sister-in-law Arnie and Merrie Hammel, and many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by daughter Michelle Kelly in 2021, sister Lois (Ed) Fortin, brothers Orin Nyman, and Roy (Pam) Nyman and his parents. Funeral will be held at Alma United Methodist Church (501 Gratiot, Alma) at 11am on Wednesday, September 27th with Pastor Lori Sykes officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Alma. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Nyman Family Endowed Scholarship Fund which supports one of five in-need students https://www.alma.edu/giving at Alma College, or Alma United Methodist Church. The family would like to thank Arbor Grove Memory Care and Mid-Michigan Hospice for the wonderful care that Mel received. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma. To view Melvin's obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.luxfuneralhomes.com