Jerome Melchior

Doctor Jerome Edward Melchior, loving husband and father of two children, passed away at the age of 81 on Monday, 21 October 2019. He is survived by Martha, his wife of 45 years, Kiersten and Kevin, his two children, four grandchildren, four nephews, and many cousins.Jerome was born on 10 December 1937 in Topeka, Kansas to Joseph John and Marie (Crettol) Melchior. Marie passed in 1939 and Joseph later married Frances Durkin, a wonderful step-mother.Jerome attended Saint Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colorado from 1955-62 earning a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Education. He earned additional credits at Washburn University in Topeka and the University of Colorado en route to the University of Kansas School of Medicine where he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in June of 1967. Later that year, Jerome enlisted in the United States Air Force. In 1968, he completed a Medical Internship at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas and was certified as a Flight Surgeon through the Brooks Aerospace Medical Center.Captain Melchior served as a Flight Surgeon at MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida from 1968-69 and at Bien Hoa AFB, Vietnam from 1969-70. He received several medals during this time and was discharged in July of 1970. Following his military service, Jerome attended the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, and completed his Residency of Urology in 1974.In May of that year, Jerome began his private practice as a Urologist and Urological Surgeon in Vincennes, Indiana, joining Dr. Norbert Welch and Dr. Roscoe Vaughn. This also began his affiliation with Good Samaritan Hospital where, through the years, he served as Acting Chief of Surgery, Chairman of Surgery Service, President of Medical Staff, Member of the Medical Staff Executive Committee, and Chairman of the Hospital Utilization Committee. He was an Advisory Member to the Board of Governors, Senior Quality Reviewer, and Treasurer of the Physician Hospital Organization Board of Directors. After 30 years of serving the community and helping countless people through difficult times, he retired in 2004.His time as a physician included many honors and affiliations. Jerome was Certified by the American Board of Urology in 1976 and became a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1978. His research was published seven times from 1974-77. He served on the American College of Surgeons Committee of Applicants for Southern Indiana from 1983-2000. He worked extensively with the Indiana State Medical Association, beginning as an Alternate Trustee in 1985 and rising to President in 1995-96. He was an Alternate Delegate to the American Medical Association from 1995-2004. He also served in a variety of roles with the Knox County Medical Society, the North Central Urology Section, and the American Urology Association. He worked with Medical Assurance as a Member of the Claims Committee for Malpractice beginning in 1993 and as Chairman of the committee from 1998-2004. He also worked with the Internal Revenue Service as a member of their Taxpayer Advocacy Group for several years.Jerome enjoyed traveling the world, mowing his yard, and reading extensively. He also did not mind a good scotch and a sunset. He will be missed.He was preceded in death by his father Joseph, his mother Marie, his step-mother Frances and his sister Barbara Jean Geist.A funeral mass honoring Jerome Edward Melchior will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on 9 November 2019 at 2pm. The family will be available for visitation at Sacred Heart from 12-2 with a gathering to follow the service.The family requests no flowers; instead, kindly consider a donation to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.