1927
Melvin
2015
Melvin Merken
January 19, 1927 — November 4, 2015
Biography
WORCESTER - Dr. Melvin Merken, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Worcester State University, passed away at the age of 88 on Nov. 4, 2015 surrounded by loving family.
He was born in Peabody, MA, January 19, 1927, the son of Harry and Annie (Ossoff) Merken. He is survived by his sweetheart of 59 years, Shirley Ann (Stahl) Merken; son Stephen and his wife Brenda of Melrose; Naomi and her husband Martin Martinez of Los Angeles; son Aaron of Los Angeles; grandson David Stahl Merken; granddaughter Samantha Francesca Martinez; and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Hyman, Harold, and Henry Merken; and sisters, Kay Merken and Fay Pearl Soll.
Dr. Merken graduated from Peabody High School as a George Peabody Medalist and delivered a commencement address in Army uniform. He enlisted in the Army on his 17th birthday during World War 11 and proudly served with the 21st Regiment of the 24th Division. He received the Army of Occupation Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War 11 Victory Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Service Plaque. He was a life member of the 24th Infantry Division Association.
He received a Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University; a Master’s degree from Tufts; and a Doctorate from Boston University. He also studied at Amherst College, Harvard University, Yale University, Clark University and Wesleyan University. He received the Westinghouse and the National Science Foundation Fellowships for study at Carnegie-Mellon University, MIT, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Texas in Austin, Dartmouth College, Tufts University, and Mount Holyoke College.
Dr. Merken began his teaching career in 1951 as the only science teacher in Old Lyme School, CT, where his subjects were Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Science. He then came to Worcester State, now University, in 1958 as an Instructor in the Physical Sciences and advanced through the ranks to become a full Professor. At various times he served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics; Chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Chair of the Department of Natural and Earth Sciences. He was elected and re-elected Chair of the University Curriculum Committee over a period 30 years, during which a complete transformation from Teachers College to University status occurred. He retired in 2010 after 52 years service. He was the mace bearer at convocations for 14 years.
Dr. Merken’s love of teaching and science are reflected in his book, Physical Science with Modern Applications, which underwent 5 editions. This work, which deals with Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Meteorology, has been used by thousands of students in colleges and universities in every state.
He received a Distinguished Service Award from Worcester State the three times it was offered; the Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance twice; the Educator of the Year Award from the Central Massachusetts Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa; and he was the Scholarship Tea honoree at Worcester State in 2012. He was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and also the American Institute of Chemists, and a Member Emeritus of the American Chemical Society. He was also a long-time member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Association of University Professors, Phi Delta Kappa, the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers, and the National Education Association.
A person of many varied interests, he and Shirley were charter members of Opera Worcester. Melvin loved hiking, sculling on the Charles, biking, gardening, and traveling. Because of his love of Physical Activities he was a Scoutmaster in Old Lyme. He was a member of Tower Hill, Rails to Trails, the Worcester Land Trust, Worcester Art Museum, Central MA Symphony Orchestra, among others.
He was an avid reader of many genres. He also found time to serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Family Service for 30 years and was a Life Member of the Board of Congregation Beth Israel, as well as a member of Tatnuck Post 288 of the American Legion, and of the Colonel Irving Yarock Post 32 of the Jewish War Veterans.
He and Shirley were mindful of their roots by contributing to their alumni associations. They established two scholarships at Worcester State: The Dr. Melvin and Shirley Stahl Merken Two Cultures Scholarship, awarded each year to a student who excels in Science but also demonstrates an active interest in and/or the arts, humanities, community service; and the Arlyn Stahl Berlin Scholarship awarded each year to a needy student who excels in scholarship.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 11 A.M. ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, AT BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON JAMESBURY DRIVE, WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery on Sabino Farm Road in Peabody.
Memorial Observance will be held through Sunday, Nov. 8, at the residence of Gary and Deborah Coltin, 18 Mandalay Drive, Peabody. Memorial Observance will continue Monday, Nov. 9, through Tuesday, Nov. 10, at his residence.
Donations in Dr. Merken’s memory may be made to Worcester State University, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA, 01602; Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA, 01609; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral Service
Sunday
November 8, 2015
,
11 a.m.
at
Beth Israel Synagogue
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Sunday
November 8, 2015
,
2:00PM
at
Maple Hill Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
WORCESTER - Dr. Melvin Merken, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Worcester State University, passed away at the age of 88 on Nov. 4, 2015 surrounded by loving family.
He was born in Peabody, MA, January 19, 1927, the son of Harry and Annie (Ossoff) Merken. He is survived by his sweetheart of 59 years, Shirley Ann (Stahl) Merken; son Stephen and his wife Brenda of Melrose; Naomi and her husband Martin Martinez of Los Angeles; son Aaron of Los Angeles; grandson David Stahl Merken; granddaughter Samantha Francesca Martinez; and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Hyman, Harold, and Henry Merken; and sisters, Kay Merken and Fay Pearl Soll.
Dr. Merken graduated from Peabody High School as a George Peabody Medalist and delivered a commencement address in Army uniform. He enlisted in the Army on his 17th birthday during World War 11 and proudly served with the 21st Regiment of the 24th Division. He received the Army of Occupation Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War 11 Victory Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Service Plaque. He was a life member of the 24th Infantry Division Association.
He received a Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University; a Master’s degree from Tufts; and a Doctorate from Boston University. He also studied at Amherst College, Harvard University, Yale University, Clark University and Wesleyan University. He received the Westinghouse and the National Science Foundation Fellowships for study at Carnegie-Mellon University, MIT, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Texas in Austin, Dartmouth College, Tufts University, and Mount Holyoke College.
Dr. Merken began his teaching career in 1951 as the only science teacher in Old Lyme School, CT, where his subjects were Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Science. He then came to Worcester State, now University, in 1958 as an Instructor in the Physical Sciences and advanced through the ranks to become a full Professor. At various times he served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics; Chair of the Department of Chemistry, and Chair of the Department of Natural and Earth Sciences. He was elected and re-elected Chair of the University Curriculum Committee over a period 30 years, during which a complete transformation from Teachers College to University status occurred. He retired in 2010 after 52 years service. He was the mace bearer at convocations for 14 years.
Dr. Merken’s love of teaching and science are reflected in his book, Physical Science with Modern Applications, which underwent 5 editions. This work, which deals with Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Meteorology, has been used by thousands of students in colleges and universities in every state.
He received a Distinguished Service Award from Worcester State the three times it was offered; the Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance twice; the Educator of the Year Award from the Central Massachusetts Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa; and he was the Scholarship Tea honoree at Worcester State in 2012. He was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and also the American Institute of Chemists, and a Member Emeritus of the American Chemical Society. He was also a long-time member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Association of University Professors, Phi Delta Kappa, the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers, and the National Education Association.
A person of many varied interests, he and Shirley were charter members of Opera Worcester. Melvin loved hiking, sculling on the Charles, biking, gardening, and traveling. Because of his love of Physical Activities he was a Scoutmaster in Old Lyme. He was a member of Tower Hill, Rails to Trails, the Worcester Land Trust, Worcester Art Museum, Central MA Symphony Orchestra, among others.
He was an avid reader of many genres. He also found time to serve as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Family Service for 30 years and was a Life Member of the Board of Congregation Beth Israel, as well as a member of Tatnuck Post 288 of the American Legion, and of the Colonel Irving Yarock Post 32 of the Jewish War Veterans.
He and Shirley were mindful of their roots by contributing to their alumni associations. They established two scholarships at Worcester State: The Dr. Melvin and Shirley Stahl Merken Two Cultures Scholarship, awarded each year to a student who excels in Science but also demonstrates an active interest in and/or the arts, humanities, community service; and the Arlyn Stahl Berlin Scholarship awarded each year to a needy student who excels in scholarship.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 11 A.M. ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, AT BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON JAMESBURY DRIVE, WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery on Sabino Farm Road in Peabody.
Memorial Observance will be held through Sunday, Nov. 8, at the residence of Gary and Deborah Coltin, 18 Mandalay Drive, Peabody. Memorial Observance will continue Monday, Nov. 9, through Tuesday, Nov. 10, at his residence.
Donations in Dr. Merken’s memory may be made to Worcester State University, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA, 01602; Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA, 01609; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral Service
Sunday
November 8, 2015
,
11 a.m.
at
Beth Israel Synagogue
Click for Map and Directions
Interment
Sunday
November 8, 2015
,
2:00PM
at
Maple Hill Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
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