Richard Elwood Melior, 91

Richard “Dick” Elwood Melior passed away at the Bonner General Hospital May 27, 2009, at about 5 a.m. from natural causes.

Dick was born Sept. 2, 1917, in Eastport, Idaho, and was a Sandpoint High School graduate. He was the son of Eneas and Anna Adelia (Booher) Melior.

As a young man Dick fought forest fires and attended the University of Idaho for training in welding.

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Dick tried to enlist in the Army but because of his welding skills (held the highest possible rating and was considered a “key man in industry”) was told that he couldn’t.

For the duration of the war Dick worked for Gunderson Brothers in Portland, Ore., building landing craft for the Navy and soon became the supervisor of more than 100 welders.

Just after the conclusion of the war Dick received a commendation from the Navy for his war time service.

Sometime in the 1950s, Dick’s friend Ross Hall loaned him one of his cameras so he could take some wildlife photos in the mountains. Dick came upon two large mule deer with huge racks plowing through about 4 feet of snow. As he prepared to take the picture he backed up to get them in the frame, all the while thinking to himself “SAFE” (shutter, aperture, focus, expose), and stepped off about an eight-foot cliff.

As he was falling Dick’s only concern was for Ross’ camera and hit the snow below with his body protecting the camera. He immediately returned the camera to Ross telling him that he shouldn’t be using it as it would probably kill him.

Dick worked as a car salesman for Taylor Parker in the ’50s and for awhile owned an auto wrecking yard along the Dover highway. In the ’60s he worked for a company in Spokane that manufactured aluminum pipe. Several times Dick invented devices that made production more efficient. 

Dick was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing and sleeping under the stars. His favorite outdoor activity was elk hunting.

In recent years, Dick was a regular at the Sagle Flea Market and Sater’s Auction near Bonners Ferry.

Dick loved the life he lived and lived it just as he wanted to. Richard Elwood Melior was one of a kind and a North Idaho original. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceding Dick in death were brothers Morris, Eldon and Wallace, and sisters Ellen Brooks and Carrie Hiatt. Dick is survived by his daughter, Maurine Arend, sons Leslie, Gary and Rick, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved him.

There will be a potluck memorial service at the Sagle Flea Market at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6.