Melinda Woodward *69

Melinda Woodward, who spent much of her career working for the state of Oregon, died March 16, 2016, after bravely battling ALS. She was 72.

In 1965, Woodward graduated from Radcliffe College (at Harvard). Then she received a Fulbright scholarship to research inflation in Argentina. In 1969, she earned a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. Woodward then worked for the Vera Institute for Justice in New York City for two years as a planning associate on projects such as improving prison medical care.

In 1971, she moved West, where she spent most of her professional life working in the mental health division for the state of Oregon. From 1972 to 1975, she was the state coordinator of alcoholism services. She was also the assistant administrator for fiscal services from 1983 to 1985, responsible for the development, coordination, and monitoring of the $300 million mental health division’s biennial budget. From 1985 to 1988, she was director of support services.

In 1988, Woodward earned a master’s degree in social work from Portland State University. Then, from 1990 until retiring in 1998, she was an elementary-school child-development specialist.

Woodward is survived by her husband since 1987, Frank Meyer; three stepdaughters; and five grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.