Donald A Melbye

Donald A. Melbye went home to be with Jesus on December 27, 2024 having lived a full life of 96 years. He has reunited in heaven with the love of his life Ann Louise Melbye (nee Borden) who predeceased him on April 14, 2019. He is survived by stepdaughter - Vicki Moran, stepson - Bob Jones, sister - Joan Thulson, brother - Charles Melbye (wife Audrey), and nephews, Scott Melbye (wife Louise), Steve Melbye (wife Julie), Jeff Thulson (wife Donna), Mike Thulson (wife Julie) and Brian Thulson, with numerous great nieces and nephews.

Don was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on July 2, 1928, to Carl and Grace (nee Nordin) Melbye. Don’s early years were spent in Kerkhoven, Minnesota where he graduated from High School. Don attended the Universities of Minnesota and Colorado, earning his law degree From the University of Colorado School of Law in 1953.

Don enlisted in active duty with the United States Naval Reserve in 1953 and was Honorably Discharged in 1957. He served as a Naval Air Intelligence and Legal Officer with Patrol Squadron 40 with Korean and Cold War duties in the Pacific Theater (including Hawaii, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and Guam), and later serving in intel and legal capacities with Fleet Air Wing 14 in Coronado, California.

Following his military service, Don joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a Special Agent. He had investigative responsibilities in both of the Bureau’s primary fields, criminal and internal security, handling high profile cases including frequent interaction with then Director J. Edgar Hoover.

In 1961, Don’s career shifted focus to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., serving as Legislative Assistant to United States Senator, Gordon Allott (R-Colorado), and Legislative Counsel to United States Representative, Ancher Nelson (R-Minnesota). From 1963 to 1967 Don served as Field Representative of the Thoroughbred Racing Association, particularly its Racing Protective Bureau in New York, New York.

From 1969 to 1973, Don became the Special Assistant – Congressional Liaison, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health, Education and Welfare in Washington D.C. He held a similar role from 1973 to 1982, handling Legislative Affairs for the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States, serving five Comptrollers in four Presidential Administrations over this time. His legislative duties were quite broad in the banking world, spanning the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit and Insurance Corp, Federal Home Loan Bank Board, National Credit Union Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

From 1982 to retirement, he took his extensive Hill and Banking experience to become a Government Affairs Lobbyist on behalf of various clients. It was also during this time that Don volunteered in a number of capacities, including the National Prayer Breakfast, Chairman of the 119 Club on Capitol Hill, and providing professional tour guide services to school groups on their visits to Washington D.C.

Don married Louise Melbye on December 6, 2003, and spent 16 happy years together in Folsom, California. Don moved to Colorado in May 2019 and lived there close to family until the time of his death.

Internment services will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California where he will be laid to rest with military honors next to Louise.