Richard Andrew Melloh

Richard Andrew Melloh passed away at his home in Powell, OH, Wednesday, February 8, 2012 surrounded by loved ones. Dick was born June 10, 1924 and is preceded in death by parents George and Louise (Bauer) Melloh, and five older siblings, Ann Irving, George, John, Louise, and Helen Melloh. He is survived by his much beloved wife of 60 years, Ruth Melloh, and their nine children with respective spouses and partner including Mary and Richard Landers of Powell; Richard A. and Rae Ann Melloh, Jr. of Cornish, NH; James Melloh of Auburn, ME; Michael and DeeDee Melloh and Louise and Daniel Lawson of Indianapolis, IN; Ann Marie and Brad Venable of Terre Haute, IN; Christina and Michael T’Kach of Minneapolis, MN; Christopher and Crispin Melloh of North Ft. Myers, FL; and Sharon Melloh and Richard Long of Terre Haute. Grandchildren include Christina and Michael Crowe of Birmingham, AL; Sarah and Cole Gillespie of Columbus; Katie and Jerry DePizzo of Columbus; Michael Melloh, Jr., Melissa Melloh, Caroline Lawson, Stephen Lawson, Jillian Wilsman, and Hannah and Bonnie Harp of Indianapolis; Jordan Harp of Lexington, KY; Ellie and Jimmy Caldwell and Ephram Green of Terre Haute; and Abe and Moses Melloh of North Ft. Myers. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews. Dick was a native of St. Louis. He served stateside in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII and received Bachelor’s and M.A. degrees in education from Marquette University. Dick dedicated many years to teaching English and speech in Richland, WA and Biwabik, MN. There he was also active in the theater and directed numerous plays and musicals. Later, Dick attained the Doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Florida. In 1968, he moved with his family to Terre Haute, Indiana to serve as Director of the Counseling Center and Associate Professor of Education at Indiana State University. During his tenure he was a President of the Indiana Association of Counselors, Educators and Supervisors and editor of the Indiana Personnel and Guidance Association’s publication Guidelines. He was the Dean of Student Life at ISU and retired from ISU as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs. Dick was a truly passionate golfer and known to hit the local links midwinter if there was a hint of sunshine. He enjoyed the companionship of friends and family over a game of cards, long conversations at the dining table, attending the theater, and sitting quietly listening to music at home with his sweetheart, Ruth. His corny jokes, wry smile, and twinkling eyes were treasured. Most importantly, Dick was a gentle, loving, and wise man whose devotion to family, friends, students, and colleagues was immense. His life legacy is the many joy-filled homes and hearts that today are all missing a father, friend, uncle, mentor, “Pop-Pop”, “Gigipop”, and true love. The immediate family held a private celebration of Dick’s life. The family asks friends to send cards and notes with their special memories of Dick to Ruth at rmelloh@gmail.com. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.