Frederick R. Melhorn

Frederick Robert Melhorn, D.O., 84, Osteopathic Physician passed away peacefully to be with our Lord on January 13, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. A son of a Lutheran minister, Fred was born in Bedford, PA to the late Rev. George I. and Verna Melhorn. He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of 60 years, JoAnn Meyers Melhorn and four children, Steve (Susan) Melhorn, Mindy (Dave) Jones, Vicky (Kinny) Shiflett, Marci (Steve) Cocke, 10 grandchildren, Scott Jones, Bryan Melhorn, Kristin Shiflett, Brant (Katie) Jones, Jamie Melhorn, Brock Shiflett, Evan Cocke, Alston Cocke, Connor Melhorn and Stevenson Cocke, a brother, Noel (Eileen) Melhorn of Philadelphia, PA, a sister, Mary Ellen Melhorn of Hanover, PA and nieces and nephews. Fred and JoAnn grew up in Johnstown, PA, where they attended Johnstown High School. He graduated from Gettysburg College in 1952, a member of Alpha Tau Omega. He continued his education at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine where he graduated in 1956, a member of Beta Beta Beta. He served on the PCOM Alumni Board as well as on the Board of Trustees. He was also the past President and Secretary/Treasurer for the Virginia Osteopathic Medical Association. After graduation in 1957, he moved to Richmond to set up his Osteopathic medical practice in General and Sports Medicine until his retirement in 2007. He was an avid athlete and played basketball in high school, college and medical school. He demonstrated his love for sports with his dedication in helping athletes in the community. Since 1970 until his retirement, he served as the team physician for Douglas Freeman High School as well as team physician for J.R. Tucker High School, the Regional and State High School Wrestling Tournaments and the Richmond Renegades hockey team. He is a founding board member of the West End YMCA and was instrumental in bringing it to the west end. One of his greatest passions was golf where he was a member at Hermitage Country Club in Richmond and the Dunes Country Club in Myrtle Beach. While serving on the Board of the West End Kiwanis Club, he organized Golf Exhibitions, bringing golf pros to Richmond. He was a past board member for Tuckahoe Little League. You could always find him on the sidelines supporting and cheering his grandchildren in their various sporting events – Grandpa was their #1 fan. As an active member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, he served on the committee for the creation of the church columbarium. He is most proud of the church’s beautiful stained glass window, seen at the end of Monument Avenue, and donated by the Melhorn Family. We would like to thank the wonderful caregivers, Della and staff, Dorothy, Huda and Evelyn for their unconditional love and compassion they showed while caring for him. We would also like to thank the staff at Bon Secours Hospice for their care and support. He was a fun, loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and dedicated physician. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1400 Horsepen Road on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church following the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Epiphany Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or the Epiphany Lutheran Church Columbarium Fund. Condolences may be offered at woodyfuneralhomeparham.com.