Obituary: Robert Alexander Melvin III

Capt. Robert Alexander Melvin III (retired USCG), 78, of Elizabeth City, N.C. died at home Wednesday, June 15, 2016.
He was born in Fayetteville, N.C. in 1938 to the late Robert A. Melvin and Eunice Goff Melvin.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Johnson Melvin; daughter Janet Melvin Berry and husband Murray of Weeksville, N.C.; adopted daughter Leigh Holland of Mobile, Ala.; two sons, Robert A.Melvin lV and wife Addy of Boca Grande Fl. and William “Sandy” Melvin and wife Robin, also of Boca Grande, Fl.; a sister, Joanne R. Perkins of Raleigh, N.C.; two grandchildren, Kathryn Ann Berry of Raleigh, N.C. and Arelion M. Berry ll of Weeksville, N.C.; and four step-grandchildren.
Capt. Melvin had a distinguished military career, serving as an Army aviation combat operations officer/pilot in the Vietnam War before transferring to the U.S. Coast Guard, where early in his service he served as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot. During that time he was awarded the prestigious Distingushed Flying Cross for a daring rescue of eight men in heavy seas while flying under blizzard conditions off the Virginia coast in 1980. His USCG career also included service as Executive Officer, Air Station Kodiak, Alaska and Commanding Officer, Air Station Savannah, Ga. before completing his military service as Directer of Boating Safety, USCG Auxiliary in 1993.
Bob was also an accomplished hunter and fisherman, an Eagle Scout, and achieved a B.A. degree from Spring Hill College and a Master of Science in Education degree from Old Dominion University. He also served five years in management for Albemarle Home Hospice Care. He was recognized by the State of North Carolina with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award for extraordinary service to the State.
Memorial donations may be made to Albemarle Hospice, P.O. box 189, Elizabeth City, N.C. 27907-0189 or to the YMCA All Kids Swim Program, 1240 North Road Street, Elizabeth City, N.C. 27909.