MONTICELLO and ROCKVILLE, Md. – Rolfe P. Melvin, 87, who retired as an Air Traffic Controller in 1980, died Dec. 25, 2003, at Casey House in Rockville, Md. He was born Oct. 15, 1916, at Monticello, the son of Hass and Nettie (Jewell) Melvin. Sighting down planes all over the world, Mr. Melvin, a Clinton resident, worked for 44 years in federal service. He was a FAA air traffic controller working at Andrews Air Force Base. Mr. Melvin served more than 26 years as an approach controller, and helped land all types of aircraft from the World War II vintage “Gooney Birds” to the sleek VC 137, modified Boeing 707s, which flew the President of the United States in the 1970s. After retirement, he enjoyed golf and spending summers visiting friends and family at his camp in Monticello. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Greta (Hartt) Melvin of Monticello; two children, Philip Melvin of Gaithersburg, Md., and Julie Carroll of Derwood, Md.; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the Monticello United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Roxanne Chandler officiating. Interment will be in the Monticello Village Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Mr. Melvin’s memory to the Monticello United Methodist Church, care of the Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730.
ROLFE P. MELVIN
