Apr 13, 2021
Dr. Cleon Michael Melsa, age 78, of Crookston, MN, passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, MN, with his family by his side.
Cleon was born on December 28, 1942, in Marshalltown, IA, the son of the late Charles and Cleo (Kime) Melsa. He was raised in Tama, IA, and graduated from Tama High School in 1960. Afterwards, he earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, did some graduate studies at Drake University in Des Moines, IA, and earned his Master’s Degree in teaching and Doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. He then went on to teach at the University of Minnesota in Crookston, MN, where he worked for the next 32 years, retiring in 2012 as an Assistant Professor. He also worked teaching chemistry at various high schools while he was doing his post graduate studies. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and held many different volunteer positions throughout UMC for various clubs and sporting teams.