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Obituary for C. M. "Mel" Bliven
C. M. “Mel” Bliven May 12, 1924 – Sept. 2, 2010 C. M. “Mel” Bliven passed away at his home in Wedderburn, OR on September 2, 2010. He was 86. Mel was born May 12, 1924 in Portland, OR to Clyde and Sybil (Simpson) Bliven. He served in the US Navy Seabee’s before attending Reed College in Portland, OR. He would receive a Bachelor’s from Reed and, while there, met Ruth Arden whom he married in 1949. They lived on both the west and east coasts and had two children, Peter Bliven and Elizabeth Bliven. Mel and Ruth divorced in 1974. He later married Barbara Walker; she preceded him in death in 2004. Mel was educated as a physicist and was heavily involved in lasers and spectrometers. His company, Laser Technical Instruments, developed laser guidelines used by sawmills around the country in precision wood cutting. He retired to Wedderburn 30 years ago where he built his home just a few feet from the Pacific Ocean. Mel enjoyed genealogy work and had been studying family history for more than 40 years including having authored a book on his family. He also loved to travel and spend time in the outdoors. He was a loving and caring father and grandfather and will be missed. Survivors include his son, Peter Bliven of Milwaukie, OR, daughter, Elizabeth A. A. Bliven of Nashua, NH, stepchildren, Ruth Walker, Karen Walker-Han and Bruce Walker and a granddaughter, Zoe. The family wishes to thank Mel’s close neighbors, friends and caregivers for making the last days of his life more peaceful. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
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