James Richard Mellberg

Published 10:19 am Thursday, February 6, 2025

June 3, 1932 – January 30, 2025

James Richard Mellberg, age 92, died peacefully at Tryon Estates, Columbus NC with his family at his side.

He was born in Manitowoc, W, and raised in Menasha, WI. He graduated from Wisconsin State College in Oshkosh in 1955 with a BS in Chemistry and an MS in Organic Chemistry from Loyola University in Chicago. He was drafted into the US Army in 1955, and after boot camp in 1956, he married the love of his life, Gail Loehning.  He spent 2 years in the Army at Ft Hood, after which, he began his career with Kendall Co. in Barrington, IL. One of his projects at Kendall related to the use of fluoride in vitamins to prevent tooth decay. This led to a career in fluoride research, and in 1975, when Colgate-Palmolive Co. purchased Kendall Co., it transferred to the main research area in New Jersey.  His time at Colgate was rewarding and led to the publication of 100 papers in scientific journals, a textbook on fluoride, and even a few patents. He received a notable award from the International Association of Dental Research, “For major contributions to our knowledge of the role of fluoride in dental health”, which had never before been given to an industrial researcher and to this day still hasn’t. With Colgate, he was able to travel to 26 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, giving lectures at dental schools and conferences. He retired as Associate Director of Research in 1994. 

When moving from his Midwest beginnings to the East Coast, Jim and Gail, found a home in the very small town of Pottersville, NJ.  He and Gail became very active in the area, volunteering their time with the Pottersville Reformed Church, supporting their 3 children in their activities, or bicycling around the rural and somewhat hilly area.  Upon retirement, he and Gail decided to move to a warmer climate in North Carolina. In 2001, they moved to the beautiful town of Tryon, NC where they continued to make an impact on their community.   Jim became well known for his woodworking, especially the highly artistic and coveted wood-turned bowls. He was heavily involved with Tryon Arts and Crafts, a nonprofit school and gallery promoting heritage and contemporary art-making practices.

Gail passed on in 2007 after 50 years of marriage, leaving a void in his entire family. He was blessed with meeting Joan Lea at his 60th high school reunion. Jim and Joan married in 2011 and provided each other with companionship at their homes in Tryon, Florida, and Wisconsin until her death in 2022.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Gail Maureen Loehning, a stillborn son, a daughter Linda, and wife, Joan Lea.  He is survived by his children Eric Mellberg (Gail), Diane King (Tony), and Laura Nessmiller and grandchildren Bridget Kobertz (Dylan), Linda Nessmiller, Luke Nessmiller, and Katherine Nessmiller. 

Visitation will be held at 10:00am on 15 of February with a Memorial service at 11:00 at Westgor Funeral Home, 205 W. Doty Ave, Neenah, WI. followed by entombment at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Neenah WI. 

A luncheon reception will be held afterwards at Ridgeway Country Club, Neenah.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon