Robert (Bob) Melton

Bob Melton passed away on Sunday, Apr. 19, 2015, in Spokane. He was born October 28, 1939, to Otis and Dorothy Melton. He graduated from school in Page, Ariz., in 1958, and joined the Army after graduation. In 1960 Bob married Patricia Warren in Redding, Calif. They had two daughters Chrissy and Teena.

Bob joined the Iron Workers and helped build several dams, including Oroville Dam and Bulard’s Bar Dam, in California, Libby Dam in Libby, Mont., and in 1971 moved to Grand Coulee to work on the Third Powerhouse of Grand Coulee Dam.

In 1975 Bob went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation where he worked as a rigger and advanced to a Foreman 3 by the time he retired in 1995. In 1979 Bob joined the Air Guard and served until his retirement in 1995 at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Bob loved the great outdoors. He liked to hunt, fish and camp on Lake Roosevelt and Banks Lake. Bob also loved to golf and was a member of the Men’s Club at Banks Lake Golf Course for many years. He was a hunter’s education instructor and shared his love of hunting with many a young hunter. He also served as a member of the GOLD Search and Rescue team.

Bob married Sharon Palmer in 1994, and they adopted five children.

Bob made the Grand Coulee Dam area his home from 1971 until his death.

He is survived by his sister Betty Lou Melton; daughters: Chrissy Melton and Teena Melton Dunn; his five adopted children: Angela Melton, Michelle Melton, Jeremiah Melton, Mark Melton and Jennifer Melton.

Bob will have a military burial at the Veterans Cemetery at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane.