Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 13, 1993 TAG: 9304130279
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAROLYN CLICK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
OLD-SCHOOL DOCTOR MELCHIONNA DIES
Dr. Olin Melchionna, an old-fashioned family doctor remembered for his house calls, his patriotism and his ability to listen, died of heart failure Monday at the age of 78."He incorporated all the very best of primary care, or general family medicine," said Houston Bell, president and chief executive officer of Roanoke Memorial Hospitals.
"I guess if I had to summarize what I would want to say about him, it would be this," said Bell. "He was loved by his patients and respected by his peers."
Melchionna, known to many of his patients as "Dr. Mel," tended to Roanoke Valley families for 52 years before his retirement last August. Forty of those years, between 1945 and 1985, he was the team physician for the William Fleming High School football team.
Robert Boyd and his wife raised four children under the care of Melchionna. Boyd said he developed a lasting friendship with him through their membership in the Williamson Road Lions Club.
"He was a wonderful doctor," said Boyd. "He was one of the doctors who would come out to your house."
Melchionna was not native to Roanoke, having grown up in Allendale, N.J. But when he came to Virginia in 1941 as an intern from the Chicago Medical School, earning the princely sum of $25 a month, he fell in love with the mountains and valley and never left.
He established his own family practice in 1946 and quickly became involved in the community.
Jim Roberts, pharmacist at Williamson Road Pharmacy, filled prescriptions for patients who would pay $3 for an office visit and then walk across the street to get their medicine.
"He had a lot of dear, old friends on Williamson Road," said Roberts, whose association with the doctor stretched back 36 years. "He was sympathetic and compassionate."
During his 52 years of practice, Melchionna witnessed amazing medical advances that spawned specialities unthinkable during the World War II years.
In 1991, he recalled how he had seen things go "from primitive to modern in 50 years."
He was also defined by his great love of country. The son of an Italian immigrant, Melchionna was troubled by the dearth of Fourth of July celebrations in Roanoke. In 1964, he urged the Lions Club to get involved and found himself in charge of a fledging enterprise that consisted of about 12 units.
"It was the shortest parade they ever had in Roanoke," said Boyd, who paired up with Melchionna to plan the events. But eventually Melchionna's idea grew until it reached its grand finale in July 1976 with 156 show-stopping bands and floats celebrating the nation's 200th birthday.
Melchionna sported a red, white and blue vest that sunny day in 1976, and rode in the VIP Car No. 2 as the grand marshal.
His future daughter-in-law, Lin Melchionna, was also there and recalled the great stir of patriotism in the crowd.
"I can remember feeling very proud," she said. "I wore my red, white and blue for him.
"He grew up in a home with a great feeling of pride in country and freedom," she said.
Melchionna is survived by his son, Olin R. Melchionna Jr., daughter-in-law Elizabeth Snead "Lin" Melchionna, and granddaughters Elizabeth Marie and Ann Andrews Melchionna.
His wife, Marie Hooker Thorn Melchionna, preceded him in death.