91ÁÔÆæ

Obituaries

Recent Obituaries
In Memoriam Archive

Mark Alexander Melgard ’55

Mark Alexander Melgard ’55, November 20, 2005, in Salem, Oregon. Mark received a BA from Reed in biology. He then enrolled at the University of Oregon Medical School (OHSU), working as a research assistant in neuroanatomy, and earning an MS and MD in 1958. From 1958 to 1959, he interned at San Bernardino County Charity Hospital in California, and did his residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland in neurosurgery from 1960 to 1964. He became the first local neurosurgeon in Salem in 1964, accepting a position at Salem Memorial Hospital, where he also served as chief of the neurological section and director of the radioisotope department. He retired in 1996, a highly respected surgeon and medical advocate. Mark's professional associations included the American and Oregon medical associations and the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He was founding president of the Oregon Neurological Society and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition to medicine, he took great interest in viniculture, photography, medical-legal testimony, cattle and horse breeding, land development, and big game hunting (worldwide). He served as medical director of the Worker's Compensation Division at the State of Oregon (1996–98). Mark was a devoted father, grandfather, and a loyal friend; a naturalist; and a man who faithfully followed his quest for knowledge. He read broadly and extensively, and was full of wit and complexity. In 1963, he married Linda Hammond, and they had two children. In 1975, he married Cherie J. Havens, and they had one son, Benjamin T. Melgard ’01. Survivors include his daughter and two sons, and two granddaughters. His wife died in 2002.

Appeared in Reed magazine: May 2006