Lee Meltzer

Lee Meltzer, 64, of Missoula, Montana passed away on Friday, October 11, 2013 near
the old Milltown Dam site on the Clark Fork River of natural causes during a float fishing
trip with his son, Max A. Meltzer. Max performed CPR on his father and contacted
emergency personnel who responded quickly to assist. Lee's last day was spent doing
exactly what he loved best, enjoying an urban float from Turah to Missoula with his son
in the Montana outdoors.
He was born on April 25, 1949 in Missoula to George C. "Sonny" Meltzer and Virginia
Lee Rinke Meltzer. His primary home was on Jackson Street In the Lower Rattlesnake
where he attended Prescott Grade School and went on to Hellgate High School
graduating in 1967. A football player for Hellgate High School, Lee was named to the
all-state team for both offense and defense, and played in the annual East-West Shrine
Game in Great Falls. Sonny was a Missoula Police Officer and a Deputy Sheriff.
Virginia was a seamstress and worked at Westerner's. She survives her son. The
family had a cabin on Seeley Lake during Lee's youth and many happy summers were
spent there boating, water skiing, hunting and fishing. Lee learned to scuba dive at
Seeley Lake, a skill he would use later in law enforcement. He met his future wife,
Rosalie Roberta Rose at Seeley Lake. As a young boy he learned to snow ski at both
Marshall Mountain and Missoula Snow Bowl.
In 1967 Lee began studies at the University of Montana and pledged Sigma Nu
Fraternity. Many of his lifelong friends are his Brothers from Sigma Nu, and a group of
them enjoy an annual get-together in Northwestern Montana for golf and fishing. While
attending the University, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Platoon Leaders
Class, graduating from the Junior Course in the summer of 1968, when he was
meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. He was Honorably Discharged
from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1969 due to a previous football Injury. Lee left
college to become a Missoula County Deputy Sheriff. At age fifty he returned to the
University of Montana and finished his degree with a BA in History. He loved studying
history and continued throughout his life. And of course, he was an avid Griz Fan.
Lee worked at the Sheriff's Office in Missoula County from 1970 until 1971 when he
joined the Missoula Police Department. He served the City and County of Missoula for
twenty years. His favorite experience was "walking the beat" where he said he enjoyed
meeting people. He retired in 1991 as the Assistant Chief of Police for Missoula. Prior
to being promoted to that role, he graduated from the FBI National Academy at
Quantico, Virginia in December 1988. Lee was also named and served as a Special
Deputy United States Marshall and held that position late into his career. He truly loved
being a policeman and especially helping those who fell into harm's way.
Lee was then employed by the Montana State Crime Lab for 19 years in Missoula as a
Forensic Scientist specializing in alcohol test equipment. He retired there in 2010. For
the past three years Lee worked for CMI of Covington, Kentucky. His role there as the

Law Enforcement Program Support Manager was to mentor and teach new program
managers in the United States and around the globe. Almost forty years of experience
in law enforcement and the Montana State Crime lab prepared him well for this position.
His most recent trip to teach and train military police officers was to Japan and
Okinawa.
On August 18, 1973 Lee married Rosalie Roberta Rose at the First Methodist Church in
Missoula. Rosalie is the daughter of William L. "Bill" Rose and Elfriede Vybiral Rose.
Lee and Rosie lived together in Missoula and celebrated their Fortieth Wedding
Anniversary this past summer. Lee was devoted to his wife Rosalie. Through their
many adventures, Lee and Rosie were able to weather any storm. In recent years Lee
worked hard to help Rosie become the exceptional golfer that she is. He beamed with
pride when he told people, "She beat me again." Lee was a supportive, kind and
protective spouse who truly cherished the four decades he spent with Rosalie. Rosie is
employed at Hawthorne Elementary School in the Orchard Homes neighborhood. To
their union were born a daughter, LeAnn Marie Meltzer and a son, Max Aaron Meltzer.
Lee was a valued member of the Missoula Trap and Skeet Club. He always had a smile
on his face, a story to tell, and a helping hand for everyone. In 2005, he traveled to San
Antonio and competed in the World Skeet Championship.
Lee loved spending time with family and friends and some of his best times were spent
bird hunting with his dog Briley, playing golf and fishing. He excelled at all of them.
Although he would have liked morning to come later, Lee was the perfect hunting
partner. A gifted raconteur, his stories kept the memory of the trip alive forever.
Lee's family and friends know him as a loving and kind son, husband, father, friend and
public servant.
Survivors include his mother, Virginia Meltzer, Missoula; wife Rosalie Meltzer, Missoula;
daughter LeAnn M. Hall (Jonah) Foothill Ranch, CA; son Max A. Meltzer, Missoula;
brother Max C. Meltzer (Sue), Missoula; mother-in-law Elfie Rose, Florence, MT; sisters-
in-law and brothers-in-law Yvonne Busse (George), Big Horn, WY; Bill Rose Jr,
Florence, MT; Michael Rose (Lora) Datil, New Mexico; nephews E. Kelly Meltzer,
Portland, Oregon and Brady L. Meltzer (Sarah), Bozeman, Montana; Jason Busse
(Kristy), Valley City, Ohio; Robert Rose (Gwen), Kalispell, Montana; and nieces Melanie
Meineke (Darrell), Big Horn, Montana; and Anne Marie Rose.

A Memorial Service will be held Thurs. Oct. 17th at 2:00 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home with Police Honors and a reception following in the funeral home's community room.

Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com


Read Lee Meltzer's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.