Michael J. Melby

Hi, this is Michael Melby, and since you’re reading this, my time here on this little ball of earth is finished. I want to share with you that it has been a great trip! I was born in Appleton Wisconsin in 1956 to Thomas and Joyce Melby. I had an idyllic upbringing with few cares or concerns. Great schools and a wonderful community. It was my father who suggested a career in pharmacy. No one seems to have any idea why my dad thought pharmacy would be the perfect fit for me. After serving in the Navy, I obtained my undergraduate pharmacy degree at Ferris State College in 1982 and then went on to receive my Master’s Degree and do a residency in Hospital Pharmacy Administration in 1985 at the University of Wisconsin. There I met five lifelong friends and brothers from a different mother who most fully enriched my life, the ‘Guys with Ties.’ I desired to practice where medical care was the best in the country and decided that would be in Boston. I moved to the East coast in 1985 to take a position at the Tufts New England Medical Center. I worked as a clinical pharmacy specialist in general surgery. I felt I didn’t fit in very well with the New England culture so after three years I moved back to Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan was next for me in 1988. I was promoted into pharmacy administration, first as an assistant director and then as a director. After 7 years I decided that I had had enough winter and gray skies and researched a location that would support my golf habit with 300+ sunny days and year-around play. I chose Tucson, Arizona and moved there in 1995. I thought moving to Tucson was about golf, but as it turns out I met my wife Maire there! We have carved out a wonderful life together and have known love we didn’t realize possible. I couldn’t be more fortunate than to have lived with my soulmate! Sadly in 2002 I was diagnosed with a melanoma on the back of my neck. It was surgically removed at University Medical Center and did not require radiology or chemotherapy. How ironic that the melanoma would return after 17 years and cause my demise! I moved to Indianapolis in 2004 and eventually to Bloomington in 2006. I had a variety of wonderfully fulfilling positions at Bloomington Hospital/IU Health Bloomington. It was the longest career tenure I ever had and I never experienced a day of dissatisfaction or unhappiness in that organization. The past two and a half years have been dedicated to the new Regional Academic Health Center building project. It will be my greatest disappointment to not see the first patient occupy the new facility. So much hard work and such masterful strategic planning has gone into the building that I am confident the facility will fulfill all of our community’s dreams and aspirations. I am survived by my wife Maire Quilter, and my brothers Gary, and Tom. Many people have had a tremendous influence on my life and I so appreciate every opportunity I have had to learn from them. I could not have asked for a better journey on this earth. Michael There will be a memorial service on Sat, Jan 25, at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Fee Lane. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Michael Melby to the Regional Academic Health Center “Cancer Center Building Fund.” Make checks payable to IU Health Foundation, PO Box 7168, Indianapolis IN 46207. In the memo line, please designate your gift by writing: Melby Memorial - RAHC Cancer Center Building Fund #6644. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos, and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Michael J. Melby

March 27, 1956 - December 27, 2019