Melvin was born on November 2, 1921 near Forman, North Dakota, a son of Albert and Hilda Olson. He graduated from High School in Havana, North Dakota in 1931.
He went to the North Dakota School in Forestry in Bottineau for two years. In the summers he worked for the forest service fighting fires out of Missoula. Next, he went to the Utah Agricultural College for one year.
Melvin joined the Army Air Corps, did his basic training and completed officer's training. He became a navigator and got his commission. He rose to the rank of Captain. He was sent to Italy in 1944 and flew 32 missions. He was injured by flak while flying and ended up in Spokane at the Veteran's Hospital. The entire recovery process took fifteen months.
When discharged from the hospital he attended Gonzaga University for three years and graduated with a Civil Engineering degree. He married Bertha Johnson on September 10, 1949. They moved to Coulee Dam where he worked on the dam for two years. Next, they moved to Ephrata and he designed irrigation systems. They built a house in Soap Lake and adopted their daughter, Janet, in 1955. He also worked in Burien for the Army Corps of Engineers. They moved to Minot, North Dakota where he worked as a Production Engineer on the missile system with the Air Force. Bertha died of MS in 1963. He was transferred to Grand Forks, North Dakota and then on to Fairborn, Ohio where he was a Structural Engineer for Wright Paterson Air Force Base.
Mel married Irene Altimore on October 21, 1971. They moved to Spokane in 1976. They were married for 38 years.
He enjoyed traveling in their motor home, fishing, playing Scrabble, Bridge and Pinochle. He also loved to read. He was a lifelong Lutheran and attended Redeemer Lutheran Church for 32 years.
Melvin was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and five brothers. He is survived by his wife, Irene; children Caryl (Clyde), Dan (Judi), Janet (Bob), seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18