Obituary: Melvyn James Marple, 84, Formerly Of Newtown

Information and Photo Courtesy Honan Funeral Home

NEWTOWN, CT — Dr. Melvyn James Marple, 84, of Douglassville Pennsylvania, formerly of Newtown, passed quietly at his home on Nov. 7, 2023 with his wife, and son at his bedside. Melvyn was born on Oct. 12, 1939 in Phoenixville Pennsylvania, the son of the late Elmer and Nadia (Kisley) Marple. He died of a rare, newly studied disease called Amyloidosis.

After graduating from the University of Kansas in 1969 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Melvyn was employed by IBM Federal Systems Division, in Owego, NY, working on and overseeing projects with the Department of Defense and NASA. Also during this time, he earned his MS degree in Applied Mathematics at SUNY Binghamton. In 1972 he returned to the University of Kansas where he worked for the Department of Electrical Engineering while he earned his Doctor of Engineering degree. He then returned to work at IBM Owego. In 1980 he was promoted to Director of Development at IBM Instruments in Danbury. His group developed a new scientific personal computer and worked with MIT and other groups developing other projects.

Recently Mel got great pleasure telling his doctors and nurses about his IBM Instruments work in developing the MRI. Then Melvyn was loaned to Canada as founding director to develop a computer integrated manufacturing center to bring the technology of automation and robotics across Canadian industry and education. During his career, he always made time for coaching soccer and youth baseball, and passing his skills and knowledge on to all those eager to learn.

After retirement he was able to work on his own interests which included research projects leading to additional patents. He finally had the time to design and build his dream home with the help of his family. He renewed his love of bowling, drag racing, restoring cars in his barn, making parts in his machine shop and enjoying time riding his tractor tending to his property. This all encompassed his competitive and fun-loving spirit. Melvyn was a long time Kansas Jayhawk sports fan (Rock Chalk!) for both football and basketball, and became a Philly sports Phanatic. He even picked up his violin (first chair in high school) and played some tunes. He treasured his time with family and friends. He always had a special place in his heart for the many puppies he adopted and nurtured over the years.

He is survived by his wife Claudia (Buckmaster) Marple and five children; Melvyn G. Marple and his wife Nimfa (Tamidles) of Watertown, Nancy J. (Marple) Knapp and her partner Don Priest of Branford CT, Tamara J (Marple) Marks and her husband Edward Marks of Newtown, James A. Marple of Newtown, and Matthew D. Marple and his wife Janet (Whittlesey) of Pepperell Massachusetts, a sister Marilou (Marple) Noller and her husband Larry of Bella Vista Arkansas and a sister-in-law Nancy (Bringe) Marple of Manassas VA; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, and a few very special friends whom he considered family. He was predeceased by his brother, Wendell Marple of Manassas VA.

Friends may call Tuesday Nov. 14, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A Graveside Service will be held at the Newtown Village Cemetery, 22 Elm Drive, Newtown at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to: The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Carlisle, PA 17013. Chipmiller.org or the Amyloidosis Research Consortium, 320 Nevada Street, suite 210, Newton, MA 02460. ARCI.org.