Melford Carroll Bolick, 85, passed away surrounded by his loving family on June 17, 2016. He will be remembered as a dedicated husband, loving father, incredible friend and mentor to an international family.
Born in Hickory NC, graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College, and denied his graduate degree from Appalachian State for being a rebel ahead of his time. He met and married his loving wife of 63 years, Norma Anne Putnam while at Appalachian State University. After working as a butcher and joining the draft during the Korean War, he went on to work for IBM for thirty-two years. There he was responsible for the introduction of computers into the NY Stock Exchange, the reservation systems for Pan Am and American Airlines, the creation of the grocery bar code system and the retail banking system including the ATM machines we continue to use today. He also served as a consultant for the Malaysian Stock Exchange.
Once retired, he went on to live in Turkey from 1991-1997 and taught mathematics at two private schools: Tarsus American College and Bilkent University Preparatory School in Ankara. Mel finally retired to Pennington NJ after living 35 years in Princeton. He also made notable contributions to his community serving as a lifetime Girl Scout, a beloved GS troop leader, he held several position on the board of the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, served as treasurer for the Princeton University Friends of the International Center, he was on the Board of his Homeowners Association at Wellington Manor, and served as fundraiser and co-President for the American Friends Service (AFS) International, Princeton chapter.
He is survived by his loving wife, Norma Anne Bolick, daughters, Melanie Anne Bolick, Elizabeth Carol Bolick and Julia Lynn Bolick Pace. Grandchildren: Matthew Anthony Mezias and Elena Margaret Pace. Nieces Tommie Bolick, Nancy Bolick and Peggy Bumgarner, Nephew, Bill Bost. International sons he hosted with AFS: Napoleon Tamayo, Philippines, Marcio da Fonseca, Brazil and Fernando Burgos, Spain.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 11:00am at the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, 407 Nassau Street at Cedar Lane, Princeton, NJ. Followed by an informal reception in the basement with time set aside for comments. The cremains will be buried in Cherryville, NC at a future date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Mel’s name to the AFS-USA Melford and Anne Bolick Scholarship Fund: make checks payable to AFSUSA Development Department, Attn: Drew Rhodes, 120 Wall Street, 4th Fl., NY, NY 10005, or online at AFSUSA.org, tribute giving; Donations can also be made to The Lutheran Church of the Messiah.
