Born in Chicago, Illinois, May 6, 1917, to Norwegian immigrants, Melby graduated from the University of Montana College of Forestry and was subsequently employed by the U.s Forest Service as a forester in the Absaroka National Forest in Montana. With the advent of World War II in 1941, he was called into the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an undercover intelligence officer. He went into private business after the war, establishing a box factory in Guatemala and another in El Salvador.
Melby took up residence in San Francisco in 1965 where he met Aileen Olsen, marrying her shortly thereafter. The Melbys lived in the Carmel Valley for the next 20 years.
Upon retiring, they lived briefly in Portugal and subsequently moved to Ajijic in 1986. Melby served as President of the Lake Chapala Society from 1989 to 1992 and was responsible for obtaining the donation of the Neill James property and the Ed Wilkes house to the Lake Chapala Society. His wife, Aileen, predeceased him.
Melby is survived by his only daughter, Geraldine Melby Linares, his grandson, Edgar, and his companion Eileen M. Penner.
At Arthur’s request, there will be no memorial service. Friends will be gathering for a private celebration of his life.
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