Obituary for Melvin Robert Wallace
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Meeting ID: 836 8255 2493
Passcode: Wallace
Melvin Robert Wallace, J.D. was born on June 18, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana to James Alfred Wallace, Sr. and Serena Minor Wallace.
Melvin attended public schools in New Orleans, and in the 10th grade at the age of 15, graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School in 1954. He and his brother, James Alfred Wallace, Jr, took an exam offered through a scholarship sponsored by the Ford Foundation for students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. They both passed the exam which allowed them to graduate from high school early and attend Morehouse College. After two years at Morehouse College, Melvin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served for two years. After his honorable discharge from the military in 1958, with the rank of Corporal, Melvin attended and graduated from Dillard University in 1961. While at Dillard, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, a distinction that he cherished until his death. After graduation, Melvin moved to Washington, DC and began his career as a Research Chemist in the federal government with The National Bureau of Standards (NBS), which later became the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He also served as an Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and Counselor during his tenure. He received several awards while at NBS/NIST including: Sustained Superior Accommodation Award for seven years, Department of Commerce Bronze Award, and Department of Commerce Equal Employment Opportunity Award. He was also a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers. Melvin attended law school at night at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1974. He retired from NIST in 1995 after 35 years of service. After his retirement from NIST, he became a substitute teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools from 1995 - 2010.
While working at NBS, he met and would later marry Linda Mott in 1963. To this union, four children were born - Dr. Melvia Wallace, Dr. Monica Wallace, Serena Wallace, and Shelby Wallace; and six grandchildren - Austin Chandler, Brandi Rice-Wallace, Douglas Hayes, Isaiah Wallace, Ariana Wallace, and Christian Hayes.
Melvin became a member of The First Baptist Church of North Brentwood (FBC) in 1965 and would serve in various ministries until 2010 when he became physically unable to continue his service. At FBC, he was a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts, a Church School Assistant Superintendent and Teacher, a Trustee, a Volunteer with the Tutoring and SAT Prep program, a Member of the Male Chorus and assisted in the kitchen for Easter and Mother’s Day breakfast preparations. Melvin was also active and involved in the DC chapter of The Dillard University Alumni Association where he served as a Member, President, and Grill Master for the annual picnics for many years. Melvin’s other hobbies and interests included astrology, poetry, golf, cooking, and math. You could often find him writing poetry, and reading math textbooks and golf magazines for fun!
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, James A. Wallace, Sr. and Serena Minor Wallace, grandson Austin Chandler, niece Laura Hobbs, and goddaughter Rae Dutton Howard. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 59 years, Linda Mott Wallace; children, Dr. Melvia Wallace, Dr. Monica Wallace, Serena Wallace, and Shelby Wallace; sister Celina Hobbs and brother James A. Wallace, Jr.; grandchildren Brandi Rice-Wallace; Douglas Hayes, Isaiah Wallace, Ariana Wallace, and Christian Hayes; nieces, Darlene Hobbs, Sharon Hunter, and Constance Wallace; nephews Clifford Hobbs, Wallace Hobbs, and Darren Wallace; godchildren Eran Green, LeVon Dock and Jasmine Caldwell Fallie; and a host of other relatives and lifelong friends.
OR
enter this ID and Passcode into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 836 8255 2493
Passcode: Wallace
Melvin Robert Wallace, J.D. was born on June 18, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana to James Alfred Wallace, Sr. and Serena Minor Wallace.
Melvin attended public schools in New Orleans, and in the 10th grade at the age of 15, graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School in 1954. He and his brother, James Alfred Wallace, Jr, took an exam offered through a scholarship sponsored by the Ford Foundation for students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. They both passed the exam which allowed them to graduate from high school early and attend Morehouse College. After two years at Morehouse College, Melvin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served for two years. After his honorable discharge from the military in 1958, with the rank of Corporal, Melvin attended and graduated from Dillard University in 1961. While at Dillard, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, a distinction that he cherished until his death. After graduation, Melvin moved to Washington, DC and began his career as a Research Chemist in the federal government with The National Bureau of Standards (NBS), which later became the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He also served as an Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and Counselor during his tenure. He received several awards while at NBS/NIST including: Sustained Superior Accommodation Award for seven years, Department of Commerce Bronze Award, and Department of Commerce Equal Employment Opportunity Award. He was also a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers. Melvin attended law school at night at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1974. He retired from NIST in 1995 after 35 years of service. After his retirement from NIST, he became a substitute teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools from 1995 - 2010.
While working at NBS, he met and would later marry Linda Mott in 1963. To this union, four children were born - Dr. Melvia Wallace, Dr. Monica Wallace, Serena Wallace, and Shelby Wallace; and six grandchildren - Austin Chandler, Brandi Rice-Wallace, Douglas Hayes, Isaiah Wallace, Ariana Wallace, and Christian Hayes.
Melvin became a member of The First Baptist Church of North Brentwood (FBC) in 1965 and would serve in various ministries until 2010 when he became physically unable to continue his service. At FBC, he was a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts, a Church School Assistant Superintendent and Teacher, a Trustee, a Volunteer with the Tutoring and SAT Prep program, a Member of the Male Chorus and assisted in the kitchen for Easter and Mother’s Day breakfast preparations. Melvin was also active and involved in the DC chapter of The Dillard University Alumni Association where he served as a Member, President, and Grill Master for the annual picnics for many years. Melvin’s other hobbies and interests included astrology, poetry, golf, cooking, and math. You could often find him writing poetry, and reading math textbooks and golf magazines for fun!
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, James A. Wallace, Sr. and Serena Minor Wallace, grandson Austin Chandler, niece Laura Hobbs, and goddaughter Rae Dutton Howard. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 59 years, Linda Mott Wallace; children, Dr. Melvia Wallace, Dr. Monica Wallace, Serena Wallace, and Shelby Wallace; sister Celina Hobbs and brother James A. Wallace, Jr.; grandchildren Brandi Rice-Wallace; Douglas Hayes, Isaiah Wallace, Ariana Wallace, and Christian Hayes; nieces, Darlene Hobbs, Sharon Hunter, and Constance Wallace; nephews Clifford Hobbs, Wallace Hobbs, and Darren Wallace; godchildren Eran Green, LeVon Dock and Jasmine Caldwell Fallie; and a host of other relatives and lifelong friends.