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Died:
- Mel Frohrib Obituary
July 5th 1927-March 31st 2008
Mel Frohrib, known to many in Vallejo for his friendship, longtime service to the community, and as a colleague, surrogate dad, and mentor, passed away in the early hours of March 31st 2008 at age 80, after a brief battle with cancer. His passing was mercifully short, in his home, surrounded by many members of his family. Mel is survived by his wife of 60 years, Vonnie, his children Tom Frohrib (Cecelia), Kathy Malley (Tom), Janice Bailey (Greg), and Dan Frohrib, as well as 8 grandchildren, Beth Michaelson (Ty), Dallas Frohrib, Mark Malley, Crystal Johnson (nee Frohrib), Adam Bailey, Aaron Frohrib, Michael T. Frohrib, and Zack Bailey, and also five great-grandchildren, Dylan and Tyler Johnson, and Haley, Thor, and Lars Michaelson. Mel is also survived by his brother George Frohrib (Carol), and many nieces and nephews in his hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Mel was born in Oshkosh in 1927 to Caroline Frohrib (nee Scheuren) and Norman Frohrib, as the third of five sons. The five Frohrib brothers were well-known throughout Oshkosh, with the oldest three serving in World War II, and all five serving in the military. Mel volunteered for the navy on his 17th birthday in 1944, supported the liberation of the Philippines, and the securing of Okinawa. As a landing craft pilot, he was in preparation for the invasion of the Japanese home island of Hokkaido when the war ended, and was stationed in Tsingtao, China, for the duration of his time overseas.
After the war, Mel arrived in San Francisco, met, fell in love with, and married Yvonne Moore in 1948.ÊIn 1950, with an 8th grade education, Mel was accepted at Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a sheet metal apprentice, and became President of his Apprentice Association.ÊWithin a few years he had earned his AA degree, and taught classes at Mare Island in mechanical drawing.ÊMany of Mel's closest friends began their careers with him as apprentices Ð a program which he considered one of the finest examples of American professional development to be had.ÊBy the time Mel retired in 1982 as Group Superintendent for sheet metal (Shop 17), he had participated in the construction of over a dozen of the finest nuclear submarines of the day, including the USS Permit, the USS Gurnard, and the USS Richard B. Russell.
In addition to his career, Mel was active in public service, including 12 years on the Vallejo City Planning Commission, 32 years with the Solano County Mosquito Abatement District, 41 years in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and President of the East Vallejo Little League from 1966-1967. Together, Mel and Vonnie enjoyed years of touring the US and Canada, their morning cribbage games, family gatherings, and many years square dancing with the Wagon Wheelers. As an avid sportsman, Mel was a lifetime member of the California Waterfowl Association, the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, and the Vallejo Rod & Gun Club.ÊThe many friendships these activities brought him were a central part of his life, and more than one friend was offered the highest of toasts by Mel:
"Other than your health, the greatest asset you will ever have is friends.And how do you get a friend? You can't buy them, you can't borrow them - you earn them. And you earn them by giving of yourself. Today we are with the finest people anyone could ever call friends. God bless you all."
Friends, come celebrate the life of Mel Frohrib this Friday, at the Vallejo Elks Lodge, at 2pm. All are welcome, and for those unable to attend, flowers would be appreciated, or in lieu of flowers, a donation in his name to the California Waterfowl Association, for the preservation of our state's wetlands.
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1927 - 2008 (80 years)
