- Date Of Death: November 4, 2018
- State: Pennsylvania
Roger Melgary, 93, of Moravian Village, Bethlehem, died on Sunday, November 4, 2018. He was the husband of Margaret Ann (Robinette) Melgary, and of the late Leona (Dixon) Melgary, who died in 1980.
Born in White Plains, NY, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Helga (Larson) Melgary. Roger was drafted in April of 1943, and served his country in the US Army for the next 3 years, during which he was a prisoner-of-war in Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his combat activities. Upon his discharge, Roger took full advantage of the GI Bill, and enrolled at Columbia University, where he earned his degree in Chemical Engineering.
Most of Roger’s business life was spent with Universal Atlas Cement, a division of U.S. Steel, where he began as an engineer trainee and worked his way up to become the General Operating Manager of the western region. In 1980, Heidelberg Cement Company of Germany purchased Universal Atlas from U.S. Steel, and merged it with Lehigh Portland Cement, which they had previously acquired. Roger, who had planned to retire, was persuaded to stay on as General Operating Manager of the combined companies, which he did until retiring in 1987.
Roger was an active member of Central Moravian Church, where he served on several committees, including the Board of Trustees.
Survivors: wife Margaret Ann; sons L. Bruce of Wyndmoor, David M. and his wife Adrienne of Wheeling, WV; brother Larry and his wife Gail of Wisconsin; granddaughters Melissa and Tara; three great-grandchildren, Gianna, Gabriella, and Connor.
