Mitchell Melich papers, 1932-2004

Mitchell Melich (1912-1999) was born on 1 February 1912. His father was an immigrant from Serbia and a miner in Bingham Canyon. Melich attended Highland Boy Grade School from 1918-1925, Bingham High School from 1925-1929, and the University of Utah from 1929-1934. He received an LL.B. degree and married his wife Doris a year later. Following graduation from law school at the University of Utah, Melich started a personal law practice in Moab. 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. Melich became associated with Charlie Steen and was President of Uranium Reduction Company, operating one of the largest uranium mines in the country. 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 Nixon as Solicitor of the Department of Interior, in which capacity he served until 1973. He and his wife returned to Utah in 1973 and Melich joined the law firm of Ray, Quinney and Nebeker, where he was a partner until 1996. Melich was devoted to the University of Utah and served on the state board of regents. Mitch Melich died of heart disease on 12 June 1999.