Mitchell Melich photograph collection, 1950-1997

Mitchell Melich (1912-1999) was born on February 1, 1912 to Joe (originally Novak Bogdanovich) and Mary Kalember Melich, immigrants from Serbia. His father was a miner in Bingham Canyon, where Melich also worked while in high school and college. Melich attended Highland Boy Grade School from 1918 to 1925, Bingham High School from 1925 to 1929, and the University of Utah from 1929 to 1934. He received an LL.B. degree and married his wife Doris M. Snyder a year later, in 1935.

Following his graduation from law school at the University of Utah, Melich started a personal law practice in Moab, Utah. Melich was active in Republican politics. From 1934 to 1950, he held in several public offices including City Attorney, County Attorney for Grand County, State Senator, and Senate Minority Leader. In 1952, Melich served as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in Chicago.

In 1952, Melich became associated with Charlie Steen; together, the two formed the Utex Exploration Company. Later, Melich served as president for the Uranium Reduction Company, which operated one of the largest uranium mines in the country. The uranium boom waned in the 1960s, and Melich returned his energy to politics. From 1961 to 1963 he was a Republican National Committeeman for Utah, and in 1964 he ran for governor of the state. He won the Republican nomination for governor, but lost to Cal Rampton in the final election. In 1969, he was appointed by President Richard M. Nixon as Solicitor of the Department of Interior, in which capacity he served until 1973 under Walter Hickel and then Rogers Morton.

Mitch and Dorie Melich returned to Utah in 1973 and Melich joined the law firm of Ray, Quinney and Nebeker, where he was a partner until 1996. Melich also served as a director of First Security Bank of Utah and of St. Mark’s Hospital. Melich was devoted to the University of Utah and served on the state board of regents. Mitch Melich died of heart disease on June 12, 1999.