Eugene L. Melcher

Eugene L. (Gene) Melcher, 79, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2019, at home, with his wife Emilie (June) Spring-Melcher by his side.

Gene graduated from Swarthmore High School in 1959 and was president of his class. He played ninth grade heavy-weight football, soccer, ran track, and was manager of the Swarthmore High School football team under Coach Millard Robinson. Gene was a lifeguard and taught swimming at Spring Haven Country Club.

Gene received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and a Master of Education from Villanova University. While at Villanova, he played and coached lacrosse — first as a club sport and then as a sport sanctioned by the university. 

Pursuing a doctorate in education, Gene attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he coached JV lacrosse under Coach Ace Adams. He was a guidance counselor and assistant principal at Upper Darby High School and volunteered as a Big Brother.

In 1979, Gene became a commercial real estate broker with Dickinson Real Estate. He was a principle in the commercial real estate firm of Looker, Lees & Melcher for 14 years. He was with Jackson/Cross/Insignia Real Estate before forming his own commercial real estate firm, Melcher Realty Advisors.

He was predeceased by his mother Gertrude (Lee), father William Melcher, and sister Gloria L. Melcher. In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by his sisters Constance Duncan of Concordville and Hannah Melcher of Media; his niece Melinda Friel of New Holland, Pa.; and loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Visitation will be Friday, December 13, from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 15 East Pleasant Grove Rd. (Route 202 & Pleasant Grove Road), West Chester, PA 19382.

In lieu of flowers, his family has requested donations be made to the Villanova University Lacrosse Program; the University of Pennsylvania Hospice, West Chester; the West Chester Area Food Bank; the Kennett Area Food Bank; or LaMancha Animal Rescue, Coatesville.

Details at the J.Nelson Rigby Funeral Home website.