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CAPT Albert G. Melcher

Captain

Date of passing 12/15/2024

Albert G. “Bert” Melcher, a respected civil engineer, environmental planner, transportation planner and Denver civic leader, passed away on December 15 in Aurora. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Rosemary Anne Phillips Melcher, whom he married on September 22, 1956, and by his children, Albert Craig Melcher of London, England, and Sarah Frances Melcher of Torrington, CT.

Born in 1931 in Wichita, Kansas, Bert moved with his family back to Denver later that year, where his mother’s family had deep roots, including helping establish Denver Botanical Gardens and running Midwest Steel & Ironworks. Bert graduated from Denver East High School in 1949, earning high academic honors, then attended Dartmouth College on a Naval ROTC scholarship, graduating cum laude in 1953 with an A.B. degree. He continued his studies at Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering, earning an M.S. in Civil Engineering in 1954.

As an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Bert served in London, where he met and married his beloved Rosemary. He subsequently served in Boston as a Lieutenant and Public Works Officer.

In 1959, Bert transitioned to civilian life and returned to Denver, working as an architectural and structural engineer. He became a partner at Borman/Melcher & Associates, an engineering firm. His civic involvement deepened during this period, focusing on urban, transportation, and environmental issues. In 1969, he founded Omni Research and Engineering, consulting on environmental planning for national and Colorado projects.

Bert’s environmental leadership continued as Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Center on Environment (ROMCOE), an eight-state non-profit organization. There, he managed interdisciplinary ecological planning for industrial and land use projects. After the 1973 oil embargo, the Colorado Energy Research Institute (CERI) was formed at Colorado School of Mines, and Bert was named Deputy Director. He managed Colorado’s first energy forecasting and econometric demand modeling programs, evaluated energy systems technologies, and conducted conservation and environmental impact studies.

In 1977, Bert joined CERI full time, continuing similar work in energy systems and environmental planning. He served on national and state committees for energy research programs. In 1982, he established his consulting firm, Melcher & Associates, specializing in business appraisal and brokerage, earning a reputation as one of Colorado’s most respected professionals in the field. He retired from this role in 1999.

From the 1960s onward, Bert played a vital role in civic affairs related to urban development, environmental quality, transportation, and energy policy. In 1968 he was appointed to the Colorado State Highway Commission by Governor John Love and to the first RTD Board of Directors by Mayor William McNichols. Bert was instrumental in founding the RTD. Notably, he was one of three individuals to serve on both the RTD and CDOT boards. While serving on the CDOT Commission, Bert developed the design process for the I-70 Glenwood Canyon construction, ensuring the project harmonized with its natural surroundings.

After retiring, Bert remained active in public service, chairing the Colorado Chapter of the Sierra Club’s Transportation Committee. He continued contributing to CDOT, RTD and various civic organizations, demonstrating unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Bert’s passions were many, from classical and chamber music and opera (he performed as a supernumerary alongside his daughter Sarah, a member of the chorus, in Opera Colorado productions) to Coloradan, British and European history and much more.

His legacy of integrity, vision, and commitment to the betterment of his community will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.

We invite memorial donations to the Sierra Club, made in the name of Albert G Melcher.

Link to obituary

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