After a lengthy and increasingly debilitating illness, Timothy Moore Melchior, 67, Weaverville, NC, passed away on January 13, 2013, at the J. F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, Asheville, NC, silently and peacefully holding the hand of his beloved wife of many years, Sharon. 

His remains were cremated in Asheville. A family memorial celebration will be held during the summer in Minnesota to share our good fortune at having had him as part of our lives.

On September 16, 1945, Tim was born in Gaylord, MN, to Edward and Frances Melchior. The family later moved to Garden City, and then to Belle Plaine. He loved sports and played on the  football, basketball and baseball teams prior to graduating from Belle Plaine High School in 1963. He also played second base for the Tiger town team. One of his fondest, recurring memories occurred in 1967 when he and his brother, Jim, played for the Tigers and faced their brother, Tom, who was playing for Shakopee. 

He earned a black belt in karate while he was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He loved his country, served four years in the U. S. Air Force, hated war, and never forgot his classmate, Gary McCue, who lost his life in Vietnam.

Tim worked as a businessman throughout his career and spent over 20 years with different divisions of Ashland, Inc. He was the first Director of Quality Performance for Valvoline Instant Oil Change, followed by Director of Franchise Operations and then became Vice President of Franchising. While in those positions, he was recognized three times for exceptional contributions and achievements with the annual Chairman’s Award. And, in 2000, he was honored by becoming one of the first inductees into the VIOC Hall of Fame for his leadership, consistent achievements and the respect of his fellow employees.  

He worked as Valvoline’s Vice President of DIFM Training and eventually retired as Vice President of Global Controlled Outlets. His last two positions required frequent and extensive travel during which he collected endless stories of his experiences and observations of life on five of the world’s seven continents. Yet, despite his great appreciation of other cultures, customs and sights, he always agreed with “Dorothy,” never failing to return from his journeys truly believing that “There’s no place like home.”

Tim was a far-above-average, innovative chef who enthusiastically fused flavors and textures and, to the dismay of his wife and friends, left few of his recipes in written form. He was a warm weather gardener who tended his large garden into radiant bloom and a cool weather woodworker who crafted exotic woods into keepsakes. He enjoyed reading and, when engaged, would often find dawn on the horizon before realizing that he was tired. He loved the solitude of his home, quiet evenings sitting on the porch watching the sunset, and, for as long as he could remember, baseball.    
In addition to Sharon, his companion and wife of 26 years, his two cherished sons, Michael (Samantha) of Waconia and Brian of Farmington are left to celebrate Tim with memories and laughter; he is also survived by daughter, Christine; siblings, Thomas (Susan) of Shakopee, Rene’ (Merlyn) Buesgens of Montgomery, James (Kathleen) of Eden Prairie and Scott of Minneapolis, remain the keepers of many “Tim” stories to be told and, likely to grow, as time passes; he also leaves behind daughter-in-law, Maureen Meron (Rafael Ortiz) of Mexico City, Mexico; son-in-law, Andrew Meron of St. Paul; and brother-in-law, Bruce Lundegard of Oakdale. His adored grandchildren, Michael, Danielle, Natalia, Mercedes, Marisol, and Patrick gave him pleasure beyond words as well as unforgettable hours of fun and play. He also had many nieces and nephews who filled his life and who he enjoyed watching as they grew from children to adults with children of their own. His devoted friends of many years, Mary and Rich Tammany, Weaverville, NC, will miss him greatly as will many others.