Obituary for Melvin Stern
MELVIN STERN — Melvin Stern of La Jolla, California, died peacefully
Wednesday morning, March 8, having spent his last two weeks of declining health
surrounded by loving family members.
Mel was born in Waukegan, Illinois on July 5, 1924. He graduated from
Waukegan Township High School in 1942 and, after a year in college at the
University of Illinois, enlisted in the army in 1943. He served for three years on
bases throughout the United States, primarily as a drummer in the army band after
Major Glenn Miller recommended him.
Mel returned to Waukegan after the war in 1946. He met the love of his life,
Marilyn Stern, in June 1948. They got engaged on their third date and married that
September. They ultimately were married for 68 years, until Marilyn died in 2017.
When Mel returned from military service, he worked in his father’s clothing store,
which he eventually acquired and ran successfully until selling the store and
retiring in 1975. Mel was active in public life in Waukegan, playing leading roles
in numerous plays while performing for thousands of people, serving as the
President of his synagogue’s B’nai Brith chapter, and sitting on the city’s Decency
Board upon appointment by the mayor.
After retiring, Mel and Marilyn moved to La Jolla, a town they loved and lived
happily in the remainder of their lives. While there, Mel had several positions on
the Board of the La Jolla Woods Homeowners’ Association.
Mel had a great sense of humor and an eternally positive outlook. He was loved by
all who met him. He was an avid golfer and played tennis into his late 70’s. He
was a rabid San Diego Padres fan, even insisting on watching a Spring Training
game two days before his death.
Mel is survived by three sons — Bob, Gary, and Craig — two daughters-in-law, six
grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly.
His private funeral service was held at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego on
March 15. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Melvin Stern to
support Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. https://donate.scripps.org/giving/
scrippshealth. To donate by check, please mail donations to Scripps Health
Foundation, PO Box 2669, La Jolla, CA 92038.
Wednesday morning, March 8, having spent his last two weeks of declining health
surrounded by loving family members.
Mel was born in Waukegan, Illinois on July 5, 1924. He graduated from
Waukegan Township High School in 1942 and, after a year in college at the
University of Illinois, enlisted in the army in 1943. He served for three years on
bases throughout the United States, primarily as a drummer in the army band after
Major Glenn Miller recommended him.
Mel returned to Waukegan after the war in 1946. He met the love of his life,
Marilyn Stern, in June 1948. They got engaged on their third date and married that
September. They ultimately were married for 68 years, until Marilyn died in 2017.
When Mel returned from military service, he worked in his father’s clothing store,
which he eventually acquired and ran successfully until selling the store and
retiring in 1975. Mel was active in public life in Waukegan, playing leading roles
in numerous plays while performing for thousands of people, serving as the
President of his synagogue’s B’nai Brith chapter, and sitting on the city’s Decency
Board upon appointment by the mayor.
After retiring, Mel and Marilyn moved to La Jolla, a town they loved and lived
happily in the remainder of their lives. While there, Mel had several positions on
the Board of the La Jolla Woods Homeowners’ Association.
Mel had a great sense of humor and an eternally positive outlook. He was loved by
all who met him. He was an avid golfer and played tennis into his late 70’s. He
was a rabid San Diego Padres fan, even insisting on watching a Spring Training
game two days before his death.
Mel is survived by three sons — Bob, Gary, and Craig — two daughters-in-law, six
grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss him dearly.
His private funeral service was held at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego on
March 15. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Melvin Stern to
support Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. https://donate.scripps.org/giving/
scrippshealth. To donate by check, please mail donations to Scripps Health
Foundation, PO Box 2669, La Jolla, CA 92038.