CARR, Dr. Robert Melville (Melville)
On January 30, 2026, peacefully in his sleep, at his home; aged 92 years.
Dearly loved husband of the late Nancy for 65 years, loved father and father-in-law of Stephen and Sara, Joanna and Andrew Robertson (Auckland), loved Poppa of Sophia; Sam, Gabriella, Isaac and Phoebe, and Summer.
A service for Melville will be held in Knox Church, 449 George Street, Dunedin at 10.30am on Saturday, February 7th, followed by private cremation. Messages can be left below where there is a link to the service. A recording will become available within 48 hours of the service.
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A tribute to Melville Carr I have been an academic colleague of Mel for the last 44 years, ever since I joined the Chemistry Department at Otago University in early 1972 as a very junior and inexperienced lecturer in Physical Chemistry. By that time, Mel was a Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry. Right from the start, he allowed me to tap into his already extensive experience as a sound and thorough Chemistry teacher. Although his research interests were more in Geochemistry, we did share the supervision of several research students. Mel was an active member of the NZ Institute of Chemistry for some years. He was a conscientious committee member for the Otago Branch and was a willing hand in helping organise a number of national conferences. Away from the Chemistry Department, Mel was a keen sportsman and played a ‘star role’ in any staff-student cricket matches. He and I also had a mutual interest in stamp collecting, for which we enjoyed sharing our interests. Always remember, Mel, that chemists never completely die but instead just ‘cease to react’ !
Dear Stephen and Sara, Joanna and Andrew, Sophia, Sam, Gabrielle, Isaac, Phoebe and Summer, we are so grateful to have known Melville, a much loved Dad and Grandad. We feel privileged to have known Melville when we came back to live in Dunedin in the mid 70s. Melville was our Elder when we first met him at Knox Church. He was our Elder and both John and I valued his gentle and wise care. He was a very good and caring man. We were also made Elders and we both learned very important ways of pastoral care from him. We miss him. He was a very good friend to us. Our love to you all as you mourn a beloved Dad and Grandad. Janet and John
Stephen and Joanna We were sorry to read of your Father’s death and extend our deepest sympathy to you both and your families.Although it is almost 40 years since we left Dunedin we maintained a warm contact with Melville and Nancy. They were great members of the University and of Knox Church and even since he has been on his own your Dad has maintained his interests Our warmest greetings Lyn and Bruce Robertson
I have fond memories of Melville at extended family gatherings, and as a Chemistry lecturer in my 1st year at Otago Uni. Derek Gray