In Memoriam
Melton H. Chew
Founder & President, MH Chew Associates
Melton H. Chew, known to colleagues and friends as "Mel," dedicated his career to the field of health physics and radiation protection. His work touched countless lives and established standards that continue to guide the industry today.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of California
Beloved Husband
Married to Kelley for 35 wonderful years
Proud Father & Grandfather
Father to Brigitte, Kevin, Christopher and grandfather to 6 grandchildren
A Life of Service
Career Timeline
Began Career at LLNL
Joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as a health physicist
Senior Operational Health Physicist
Nearly 30 years of distinguished service at LLNL, becoming a leading expert in radiation protection
Founded MH Chew Associates
Established his consulting firm to provide expert radiation safety services
Tiger Team Reviews
Led critical DOE Tiger Team environmental safety and health reviews
NASA & Oak Ridge
Expanded services to NASA Johnson Space Center and Oak Ridge National Laboratory
President & Leader
Led MH Chew Associates for over 30 years, building a legacy of excellence
Cherished Memories
A Life Well Lived
On the green
At Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Continental Divide
With his beloved wife Kelley
Outside of work, Mel was an avid golfer who enjoyed the challenge and camaraderie of the sport. He and Kelley shared a love of travel, exploring destinations around the world from Asia to the Continental Divide. He was a devoted family man who cherished time with his children and grandchildren.
Words of Remembrance
Tributes from Colleagues
Mel had a way of making everyone feel valued and heard. His supportive management style created an environment where people could grow and do their best work. He truly cared about each person on his team.
Alesia Batiste
I had the privilege of knowing Mel for 41 years. He was a master storyteller with an incredible memory for details. Our friendship was built on countless conversations about work, life, and everything in between.
Robert Morris
Mel validated others in ways that were both kind and thoughtful. He had the rare ability to make complex technical matters understandable while never talking down to anyone.
Bryce Rich
Mel's phenomenal memory was legendary, but what I remember most is his unwavering integrity. He always did the right thing, even when it was difficult. That's the standard he set for all of us.
Billy Smith
"Just do the right thing" — that was Mel's philosophy in everything. Simple words, but he lived them every day. His ethical compass guided not just his work, but how he treated everyone around him.
Brant Ulsh
Over our 18-year friendship, Mel became more than a business mentor — he was a true friend. He taught me that success in business comes from putting relationships and integrity first.
Bruce Samuels
Though Mel passed away in 2020, his legacy lives on in the work we do every day. We remain committed to the principles he established: technical excellence, unwavering integrity, and dedication to protecting workers and the public from radiation hazards.