Thief River Falls – Richard Melby, 69, Thief River Falls, died Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 at his home in Thief River Falls, with his wife by his side.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 8, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Rev. John Golv and Rev. Ale Tulu officiating. Interment was held at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.
Richard John Melby was born Dec. 29, 1944 in Thief River Falls, the son of Orrin T. and Viola (Berry) Melby. He graduated Oklee High School in 1963. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force in February 1963, stationed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, Thailand and Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD. He served in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1969.
On Feb. 15, he started work at the Thief River Falls Police Department as a Patrolman and was there for 12 ½ years. In June 1981, he went on to work in the State of as a Highway Patrol Radio Communications Operator, and he became supervisor in 1994.
Richard took Judith Spray Olson’s hand in marriage on May 25, 1974 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. The fall of 1974, they built their own home where he resided and passed away. On July 8, 2008 he retired from the patrol due to health after 27 years of service. He had a total of 37 years in Law Enforcement.
Richard was a member of the Police and Peace Officers, American Legion, Past Cub Scout, Boy Scout Leader Troop 59, and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
He enjoyed time at their lake home in Walker, having coffee on the deck, and traveling for many years in their Travelall and Layton Bunk House. He spent many hours sitting around a campfire. His new accomplishment was playing solitaire on “a computer.” This was his 8th year in reading “The Bible in a Year.” He loved gardening, working in his shop and not bothering to check his “honey-do” jar. His family was his greatest joy. One of the boys commented, “He tolerated his children but adored the grandchildren.” He was anxiously waiting for “baby Joseph’s” birth (1st great-grandchild) in October. Rich had a strong faith, and with all of his illness, he never complained and said, “Guess God figures I can handle it”… and handle it he did! He put up one good fight.
Richard is survived by his wife Judy (They were married for 40 years, and had their vows renewed at their lake home on May 25th, 2014); children Michael (Beth) of East Grand Forks, MN, and their children, Kylie (boyfriend Cody Knutson) of Grand Forks, N.D., Madison and Bailey of East Grand Forks, and Andrew (Whitney Blessing) of Cabot, Ariz.; Nichole (Joseph Gallardo) of Apple Valley, Calif., Jordan, Conway, Ariz., Ariel and Chance of Cabot, Ariz., Rebecca (Darin) Solberg of Wahpeton, N.D., Alexander of Wahpeton, N.D., Mark (Erica) of Thief River Falls, Hannah and Katheryn of Thief River Falls, Jake of Karlstad, Aaron and Alexis of Breckenridge; two adopted grandchildren, Miguel and Darby Ontiveros of Victorville, Calif.; brothers and sisters, Allan (Ardythe) Melby of Clover, SC, David (Gloria) Melby of St. Cloud, Susan (Calvin) Harmoning of Red Lake Falls, Michael (Susan) Melby of Thief River Falls, Mary (Donald) Rindahl of Bemidji, Robert (Phyllis) Melby of Oklee, Rebecca (Dale) Svaren of Twin Valley, Carolyn (Roy) Rystad of Oklee, and John (Lori) Melby of Oklee; aunt, Iona Berry of Oklee; numerous nieces and nephews, and also Judy’s dog, Molly.
He was preceded in death by two infant sons, Christopher Michael and Robert Charles; parents, Orrin, Vi Melby Bergh, stepfather Alfred Bergh; nephews, Ryan and Paul Melby; and in-laws, Lloyd and Ellen Spray.
Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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