Don Melvin after His Retirement

by K. Sivaprasad

When I spoke with Don not too long ago, he expressed to me how wonderful it was to be retired and how much he was truly enjoying his retirement. "Siva," he said, "I’m busier now than when I was a professor. I strongly recommend it."

Don Melvin, as you know, served as a member of the ECE Department for seventeen years and as an Associate Dean in the College for twenty years before retiring in 1995. Those of you who knew him at UNH must be wondering how he is keeping himself occupied and what his current activities are.

Don still comes to the Department almost every day to his office, which he shares with Professor Emeritus Alden Winn. Even though he is retired, last year he was drafted to head a committee to look into the Engineering Technology Program and its current relevance in the College. He worked hard as he usually does and handed in his report to the Dean. He is still active in the professional licensing process, organizing the courses to help the students take the EIT exams. As a consultant, he is keeping busy as a technical expert in insurance claims involving accidents due to electrical fires or electrical faults in businesses.

Around UNH, he is extremely active as a moderator in Madbury town activities and serves as chairman of the Town Recreation Committee. He also participates in the Board of Directors for the Oyster River Youth Association and coaches youth soccer.

Don’s two teenage sons keep him active due to their collective interests in mountain biking and lacrosse. As a husband, Don helps Joan, currently a reading specialist at Dover High School, at home. Prior to his retirement, balancing household duties and professional obligations proved to be a challenge for the Melvins. Now with his retirement, he finds enough time to take care of the household activities while Joan is busy with her professional life.

Don’s main hobby is genealogy. He also serves as a genealogy researcher on the Internet helping people to find their roots. Due to his many responsibilities, Don is forced to turn down many requests in this area.