Melvin "Mel" J. Bina

October 28, 1931, Antigo, Wisconsin, USA

Death: March 31, 2024, Tucson Arizona, USA.

Father: Alois Frank Bina

Mother: Anna Johanek

Married: LaDonna A. Tehran, November 24, 1951 in Madison, WI (deceased September 1997)

Children: Denise A. Bina (1952)

David L. Bina (1959)

Wife: Marion Wieden,Ph. D, May 11, 2002

Bina, Melvin J., 91, passed away March 31, 2024. Beloved husband of Marion Wieden, beloved father of Denise A. Bina of Scottsdale, AZ and David L. Bina (Alexa) of Tucson, AZ; brother of Edward Bina (deceased), sister Genevieve Stonecipher(deceased) and sister Marilyn Benishek (deceased). Beloved grandfather of Catherine Bina and beloved stepfather of Mark Wieden (Camine), Marquette, KS, Jill Wieden, Surprise, AZ, Matthew Wieden (Shelli), Vail, AZ and step grandchildren, Neven Hamilton-Wieden (Haley), Tucson AZ and Quinn Collins of Surprise, AZ.

Mel grew up in Antigo, WI and lived there until he attended the University of Wisconsin where he received a B.S. in physics. He received a ROTC commission as a second Lieutenant in the Air Force and started active duty in 1954. His first duty station was at Sandia Base/ Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. He trained as a nuclear weapons officer on the Fat Man atomic bomb. Later, he trained as a pilot and navigation officer. In 1958 he went to Wright-Patterson AFB and attended the Air Force Institute of Technology, receiving a masters degree in nuclear engineering in 1960. He was assigned to Aerospace Research Laboratories, where he performed basic nuclear research with the Van de Graafnuclear accelerator and was assistant to the chief of the General Physics Lab. In 1963 he attended the University of Arizona (Tucson) to obtain a Ph.D. in Aerospace-Mechanical engineering. He completed all requirements in 1966 except his dissertation, when he received orders to Yakota Air Force Base in Japan. There, he served as reconnaissance pilot during his three-year tour. His missions included the Far East, Korea and Viet Nam. In 1969, he was assigned to Norton AFB, California to work on the Minute Man Missile Program. In 1970, he was reassigned to Kirtland, AFB, New Mexico, where he worked at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory on high energy lasers. He completed research and received his Ph.D. in 1972. He was Chief of the Exploratory Concepts Branch where the iodine laser was started, which was used in the B-747 Airborne Weapon (2007). He retired from the Air Force in 1975 after 21 years and joined Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale, CA as Senior Staff Scientist.

He retired from Lockheed in 1991 and moved to Tucson, AZ. In 2000, Mel met Marion Wieden, a retired clinical microbiologist, at a widow-widower meeting. Following a two-year courtship, they married in Tucson.

Mel's passion was aviation. He built an experimental plane, a Velocity RG, which has the engine in the rear. It took him 11 years to build, but he built a prize winner. He completed building his plane in 2004. He flew his plane to Oshkosh international air show and won champion of all kit-built planes. He was very proud of the "Lindy" award.

Mel and Marion enjoyed traveling to many countries including in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia, Japan and China. They also enjoyed both river and ocean cruising.

Inurnment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery, date to be announced.