Melvin R. Bersch
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Melvin R. Bersch was born in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania to Betty and Melvin E. Bersch on Nov. 6, 1943. He died at Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado on Nov. 24, 2021, at the age of 78 due to COVID 19.
He spent his childhood in Silver Springs, New York, and graduated from Letchworth Central School. He came out west to go to BYU, and eventually settled in Grand Junction, Colorado.
He worked at Grand Junction Steel for over 35 years, starting out as a grinder and later becoming a Certified Welding Inspector and Quality Control Manager. He also taught welding classes.
He loved rocks, all kinds. Minerals, fossils, agates, petrified wood. When he wasn't working, he was out rock collecting or cutting and polishing rocks. He was a Life Member of the Grand Junction Gem & Mineral Club and Rockhound of the Year in 2019. He served as Vice-President and President numerous times over his nearly 50-year membership. He was instrumental in getting a shop building for the club, along with lights in the parking lot, updating bathrooms, a storage container, display cases, and was on the building committee to construct a new building, which would house a museum. He won "The Richard Pearl Trophy" for best specimen at the Denver Gem & Mineral Show in 1985. He loved to share his knowledge of rocks. He co-authored two articles in the Rock & Minerals magazine on the Fossil Fish from the Green River Formation. And many specimens from his collection are featured in several magazines and books, including a featured guest collector in Johann Zenz's, book Agates III (2011). In 2017, he donated a large fossil gar fish that he had prepared to Eureka! McConnell Science Museum in Grand Junction. At the time, it was the only one of its kind to be prepared from both sides. He always had "brag rocks" to share at the club meetings. He taught several different classes and in 2020 was presented with a nametag that read Agate "Whisperer". Many would strive to get a "Mel Polish" on their specimens. Friends have said that Mel was their mentor; he had a big, kind heart and a great sense of humor. He touched many lives throughout the years. Mel was truly one of a kind!
He married Pamela Joy Bush on Dec. 7, 1985. They have one son, Richard Aaron Bersch of Castle Rock, Colorado; and one grandson, Braxton Bersch.
He is survived by his wife; son; grandson; sister, Connie VanParys of Clifton Springs, New York; brothers, Mark Bersch of Silver Springs, New York, John Bersch of Rochester, New York; and all who loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Susanna.
Cremation has taken place. A service and scattering of his ashes in the Henry Mountains will take place in late spring 2022.