Obituary: Harold Melby was a legend at Groveland Elementary

A portrait of Harold Melby hangs in the entryway of Groveland Elementary in Minnetonka. It's a fitting reminder that the beloved principal, coach and teacher is still watching over the school where for 33 years he championed underdog students and built a strong sense of community.

"He had leadership skills and the ability to bring people together for the common good of kids," said Groveland's current principal, Dave Parker, who met Melby a decade ago when the two worked to plan the school's 150th anniversary celebration in 2005. "He left a strong legacy here, a legacy of community involvement and caring for others. He is legend at Groveland."

Melby died in July at Regions Hospital in St. Paul where he was being treated for an infection. He was 93. A memorial service is scheduled this month.

Melby was born in Oklee, Minn., and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1938. He took his love of basketball to Hibbing Community College and to Bemidji State University. After earning his teaching degree in 1942, Melby spent 3½ years as a pilot in the Navy during World War II, dropping surrender leaflets on islands across the South Pacific, said his wife of 70 years, Bee, of Minnetonka.

Melby arrived at Groveland School in 1946, but left shortly afterward to try his hand selling insurance. "He was told he could make more money. But he didn't like it," his wife said.

The insurance industry's loss was Groveland's gain. Melby taught sixth grade until 1953 when he was promoted to principal, a position he held until he retired in 1981. He loved interacting with parents and teachers and encouraging students.

"Harold was my personal hero, and the hero of the underdog kids like me and others who lacked self-confidence to assert ourselves in sports and on life's playing fields," said former student Stephen Ferrall.

"He just loved children," said Donald Draayer, a retired Minnetonka School District superintendent who worked with Melby for 24 years. "Even today, people remember his generosity and encouragement of those activities."

In retirement, Melby continued to support Groveland. He helped plan the school's 150th anniversary celebration; contributed to the book, "Celebrate Groveland: 150 Years of Learning," and helped bring an inclusive playground to the school. "Groveland was his second family, and he never quit giving," Parker said.

Melby was president of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association from 1967 to 1969 and founding co-chair of the Minnetonka Schools Foundation of Excellence. For his efforts, he was honored with a WCCO Good Neighbor Award in 1981, and inducted into the Minnetonka Alumni Association's Hall of Fame in 2012.

A strong man of faith, Melby was chairman of the building committee when Grace Lutheran Church in Deephaven built its original sanctuary. He also taught Sunday school. Later he taught Bible classes at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie.

He was never shy about showing off his Norwegian heritage, said Bonnie Niles, a former student and neighbor, who recalled Melby often wore Norwegian sweaters and buttons. He was president of the Vestland Chapter of the Sons of Norway and an international delegate to the Sons of Norway, family members said.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Rd., Eden Prairie.