Melvin L. Hayne

July 19, 1924 – October 27, 2015

From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page:

In deep sadness, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association report that Melvin Hayne of Santa Rosa, CA, left formation on 27 October 2015 at age 91. Mr. Hayne was a 335th navigator. Folded wings.

The younger of two sons, Melvin was born on 19 July 1924 in Sterling, CO, to Charlie and Clara Hayne. Melvin grew up in Sterling, graduating from the local high school. After one year at the University of Colorado-Boulder, he joined the Army Air Corps ...and ultimately served as a navigator at Station 119.

With the war over, Melvin earned both a bachelor’s and master's degree in psychology back home. During that time, reads his obituary in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Melvin “met and married Barbara Fenger and had three children: Richard, Margaret, and David. After graduation, Melvin and Barbara moved to Pueblo, CO, where Melvin was instrumental in starting the first Psychology Department at the Colorado State Hospital. After six years in Pueblo, Melvin moved to Denver, where he completed his PhD in Psychology.

“In 1959, the family moved to Santa Rosa, where Melvin joined a small private mental health clinic. The clinic was soon acquired by Sonoma County Mental Health. Melvin served as a Senior Clinical Psychologist and directed the County's Mental Health departments and the Children and Youth Services programs. He retired from the county in 1985.

“In addition to his work for the County, Melvin had a private practice, taught classes at Santa Rosa Junior College and served as an elected Board member of the Piner Olivet School District. He attended the First United Methodist Church, played flute for a time with the New Horizons Band, and traveled extensively. His interests included gardening, fishing, magic and music. Melvin is survived by his wife Barbara of 69 years; his children, Richard and wife Chris, Margaret Nelson and her husband Scott, David; and his four grandchildren.”

Barbara wrote that her husband “never did talk much about the war, but he did keep a good scrap book that our children cherish.” 

A funeral service was scheduled for Saturday, 31 October 2015, at Santa Rosa Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the Haynes family respectfully requests contributions be made to your favorite charity.