Melvin Dean Alsager

Melvin Dean Alsager, 86, of Nampa, passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. A Funeral Service to honor his life will be held at 10 AM July 10, 2017 at the Nampa Church of the Brethren, 11030 Orchard Ave. with military honors by personnel from the US Air Force Base in Mt. Home, ID. Burial will follow at the Sweet-Montour Cemetery at 1 PM. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com

Melvin was born on May 30, 1931 in Emmett, Idaho, the son of Lewis O. and Maude (Heck) Alsager, the second of four sons. Melvin enjoyed the country life growing up on a 160 acre diversified farm with a loving family. He learned early the enjoyment of hunting, fishing and sports following his father and older brother’s activities. Melvin attended Emmett schools and graduated from Emmett High School in 1950. The first day of his freshman year he met Mary Anna Kirkpatrick of Sweet, Idaho, for what turned out to be a five year courtship and a 53 year marriage that lasted until her sudden death in 2004. To this union four children were born; Rick, Julie, Jim and Mary Beth. Melvin joined the US Air Force in 1950. Following his basic training he attended advanced training in map making at the Army Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir, VA. In 1951 he was assigned to the 28th Recon Squadron of the 28th Bomb and Recon Wing, Ellsworth, AFB in Rapid City, S.D. In the spring of 1954 he spent time with a Photo Recon detachment, sent to Thule AFB in Greenland for processing and interpreting aerial photography of possible Russian incursions along the Northern Coast of Greenland. Melvin left the Air Force and started college at the University of Idaho in the fall of 1954 receiving a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1958. He worked for the Idaho Health Dept. as a regional Public Health Engineer. In 1966 he became head of the State Water Pollution control program. In 1963 he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma receiving a Master’s Degree in Engineering. He also was commissioned into the US Public Health Service Commission Corps Reserve in 1963 as a Lt. Commander. He was called to active duty two different summers to aid in monitoring atomic blasts at Yucca Flats test range in Nevada. Melvin was activated three times for training sessions at the Taft Sanitary Engineering Center in Cincinnati, OH. In 1970 he joined the JR Simplot Co. as Corporate Environmental Coordinator. In 1976 Melvin was promoted to Vice President of Energy and Environmental affairs followed by becoming Vice President of the Corporate Development Dept. in 1982.

Melvin’s love of planes, history, hunting and fishing were lifelong. His greatest love was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Melvin was a member and very active in the Nampa Church of the Brethren and he was also a member of the Lowman Community Church. After being alone for eight years, Melvin met and fell in love with JoAnn Doramus and they were married in 2012. Melvin was also preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Leland and Keith.

Melvin is survived by his wife, JoAnn; his children, Richard (Debi) Alsager, Rathdrum, ID; Julie (Ed) Helms, Boise; James (Karen) Alsager, Sagle, ID; and Mary Beth (Douglas) Badger, Colorado Springs, CO; 2 step children, Randall (Cathy) Holloway, Oregon and Michelle (Zoran) Yankovich, Nampa; brother, Kenneth (Bonnie) Alsager; sister-in-law, Merillyn Alsager, Emmett, ID; 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and a number of cousins.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Nampa Church of the Brethren, 11030 Orchard Ave., Nampa, ID 83651.

 Service Information