Remembering Richard Melby

It is with regret that we announce the passing of Richard M. Melby, Aircraft Dispatcher, Flight Operations, who died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014 at his home in Grand Forks. He was 47.   

Richard Michael Melby, the son of Michael J. and Deanna M. (Tomhave) Melby, was born on Sept. 4, 1966, at Forbes Air Force Base (AFB), Topeka, Kansas. He was baptized at the First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minn. In 1977, he moved with his family to Grand Forks AFB. He graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1984 and attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. On June 21, 1986, Richard married his best friend, Irene Allen, and on Dec. 1, 1992, they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Kathryn. As a teen, Richard was awarded the Strategic Air Command Volunteer of the Year Award for many years of dedicated work with the Grand Forks AFB Youth Center. He later held jobs at the youth center and the base bowling alley. Following their marriage, Richard worked as a program director at the Grand Forks AFB Outdoor Recreation Center, where he initiated many activities and annual events. Richard managed Carmike movie theaters in Devils Lake, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. He joined UND as an Aircraft Dispatcher in 2006.

Richard had many interests and hobbies. He was an avid movie and history buff. He enjoyed researching the Civil War and the history of NASA. He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed collecting eagles.

He is survived by his wife, Irene; daughter, Kathryn Melby; his parents, Michael and Deanna Melby, all of Grand Forks; brothers, Kirk (Melissa) Melby, Laurel, Montana, Jeremy (Michelle) Melby, Grand Forks; his paternal grandmother, Geraldine Melby, Fergus Falls, Minn.; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Robert and Anietta Allen, Grand Forks; a brother-in-law, Daniel (Corina) Allen, East Grand Forks; a sister-in-law, Laurie (Tracey) Pfaff, Grand Forks; 2 nieces and 2 nephews.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jerry Melby; his maternal grandparents, Lawrence and Florence Tomhave; an aunt and uncle, Virginia and Michael Lunning and a cousin, Charles Christenson.

Due to allergies, the family requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Relay for Life-Team Fight On or The Altru Cancer Center, 960 South Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

Funeral Liturgy: 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 in the Historic Norman Funeral Home-Gregory J. Norman Funeral Chapel. Following the liturgy, a luncheon will be served in the Gertrude Norman Fellowship Room.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home and one hour prior to the liturgy in the funeral home on Friday.

Interment: Calvary South Cemetery, Grand Forks, in the spring.

The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com .

— Courtesy Norman Funeral Home.