Mel Anderson died Nov. 24, 2009. With his death the class lost one of its outstanding scholars.
Mel was a true Californian. He was born in Oakland and attended Hollywood High School, where he was vice president of the student body. At Princeton he majored in the School of Public and International Affairs and was a member of Dial Lodge. He won a series of awards for academic achievement, including the Class of 1876 Sophomore English Prize, the Lyman Debate Prize, and election to Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated with highest honors.
During World War II, Mel served in the Navy Supply Corps in the Canal Zone and on the carrier USS Leyte. He was discharged as a lieutenant commander.
After the war he worked for Morgan Stanley Co. in New York for several years and then returned to California. For most of his business career he worked in the financial side of Del Monte Corp. in San Francisco, where he became vice president and controller of international operations.
Mel was warm, friendly, and down-to-earth. These qualities were recognized in his election as mayor of Hillsborough, Calif.
His wife, Priscilla, predeceased him. To his son, Ames, and his daughter, Sarah Cleveland, the class sends condolences.