After graduation, he had initially planned to attend Rockmont, a Christian college in Longmont, but his high school principal, Bill Shreeve, pulled him aside and insisted he change his course, so he instead attended Colorado State College (now known as University of Northern Colorado) with a math major and PE minor, graduating in 1966. He student-taught math at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown following graduation, then started at Meeker Junior High in Greeley School District 6 and taught one semester before moving and continuing to teach at Greeley West High School where he taught math until his retirement in 1998. During his tenure at Greeley West, he coached football for one year and then coached wrestling for seven years, earning a second-place state title. He was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1997 and was inducted into the Greeley West Hall of Fame in 2012. He entered the Air National Guard Reserves in 1966 and served until an honorable discharge in 1972.

He married Bobbi Beren on November 11, 1967, and following their wedding, they moved to the small farmhouse on the 350-acre farm he grew up on where he had continued to help his father farm. In 1973, Mel took over all farm operations with the main farmhouse undergoing a remodel by him and his fatherin- law. He moved there with Bobbi and his two daughters while continuing to farm and teach simultaneously. He retired from teaching in 1998 and farmed until 2009. He resided at that farm until June 2022, moving with Bobbi to Johnstown to live with his youngest daughter and family.

Mel’s life was filled with variety. As a young man, aside from helping his father farm, he assisted with laying pipeline from Carter Lake, worked at the Great Western Sugar Company, and helped out at Peppers farm near Mead. He was an athlete, playing basketball and running track and field and earning letters for his participation. He was a musician, learning to play the accordion and later transferring that knowledge to piano, and he self-taught himself to play guitar. He was also involved in church choir growing up, and he was a great singer. He enjoyed fishing and cars, and his prized 1956 Corvette remains with the family – a car that he confessed to having numerous street races with during his youth. He continued to play basketball for many years, playing in leagues with friends. He entertained bowling, and he always looked forward to the annual end-of-year bike ride from Greeley West High School to Bruce’s Bar in Severance. He helped to build the family cabin at Crystal Lakes starting in 1980, a cabin still enjoyed by the family today. Mel was especially known for his larger-than-life laugh, a contagious and bold howl that would spread to anyone in the vicinity of his laughter and sense of humor.

Mel’s pride and joy was his family. He was a dedicated husband to Bobbi, his wife of nearly 59 years, building a family and memories through the farming and sheep operations, camping, school activities, and later in life, the 11 cruises and other vacations they took together. He was a mentoring, fatherly infl uence to his two daughters, Brechen and Chanin, teaching them both how to care for the farm animals, how to drive a tractor, how to reverse-park a trailer, and how to change a tire. He was hands-on with the girls and their 4-H livestock projects, helping to build the Hampshire sheep flock across many decades of winters during lambing season. He worked with Brechen to help her build her Simmental cattle herd and supported Chanin with her pigs, creating a farrowing crate for Chanin’s sow Edna and her piglets. He was so proud when one of his farm-raised lambs, shown by Brechen, won Grand Champion in 1987 at the Weld County Fair. He worked tirelessly to support his daughters in their academic and athletic achievements, and he ensured both of his daughters received a college degree, debt-free. He loved to spend time on a regular basis after school with Brechen playing piano and singing, helping to nurture her love of music, and sharpen improvisation skills. Later in life, Mel recorded on a Zimbabwean music album with Brechen and sang under her direction in the church choir at United Methodist Church of Johnstown. Mel was a dedicated Broncos, Rockies, and Nuggets fan, and he and Chanin shared a special bond over these teams, always picking winners, choosing favorites, and Chanin was sure to have his favorite games at the ready to watch on television. Mel’s legacy of farming, music, and education live on through his daughters.

Mel adored his grandchildren. He attended as many of their sporting events as possible, and especially loved cheering on cross country meets and attending the football games of his grandsons. He taught them how to fish and gave many three-wheeler rides and tractor rides. He loved playing board games and spending as much time as he could with them. He supported his two oldest grandchildren in their own 4-H livestock endeavors and their band concerts. He attended nearly every dance recital that his only granddaughter was in and traveled with her when she attended national dance finals in California and Myrtle Beach. Mel was so proud of all his grandchildren and their accomplishments, dreams, and chosen partners.

Preceding Mel in death include his father, Conrad Leinweber, Jr.; his mother, Elizabeth Leinweber; and his oldest brother, Roy Leinweber. Grateful to have shared his life with him include his devoted wife, Bobbi; his oldest daughter, Brechen (Scott) Santeramo and their children, Tyler (Madison) Santeramo and Taryn (Patrick) James; his youngest daughter, Chanin (Joseph) Gaona and their sons, Andrew, Ethan, Brady, and Trevor Gaona; his youngest brother, Ken (Linda) Leinweber; his brother- and sister- in-law, Daryl and Connie Wiest and their sons Steve (Brooke) Wiest and Phil Wiest; his great nephew, Matthew Wiest and his great nieces Avery and Lauren Wiest; and his nephew, Greg Leinweber and niece Lesa Beggs. He was loved and adored by numerous other family members and friends who felt like family.

Mel’s Life Celebration will be held at 12 p.m. September 4 at The Mad Russian Golf Club in Milliken. The family encourages you to wear your favorite Broncos, Rockies, and/or Nuggets clothing in Mel’s honor.

Memorial contributions can be made to “Pathways Hospice” and/or the “Weld RE-5J Education Foundation” in care of Young’s Funeral Service, 102 East Charlotte, Johnstown, CO 80534. Memories can be shared at youngsfunerals. com.