I never pass his home on 67terrace without thinking of him. He is missed 










I am not sure how I just stumbled on this news. I met Mel once in Oregon (15-20 years ago??). Mom was visiting, and Mel came over to my house (how did we figure out he was a relative??), and before my eyes, they transformed into young cousins from the old days. I don't remember who sat on whose lap.. Mom was near 16 years older, but   what seemed like half his height. They were adorable together.  And I remember how incredibly kind and warm he was.
-(Laurie-Granddaughter of Sol Solomon)

I grew up living next door to Mel at 7146 McGee street.  He was 2 years older and I adored him.  We had so many wonderful memories of our childhood.  Our houses were almost identical and Mel and I slept upstairs in our respective houses and with a clothes line we rigged up a pulley to pass notes.  My most outstanding memory is when he was 10 years old, he announced to our neighborhood gang that he was going to be an architect when he grew up.  And so he was!! I cherish these memories of such an accomplished, kind and talented friend with the million dollar smile.  I regret not having met his wife and children or seeing hm more over the years.
His obituary was so accurately and beautifully written with so much love.  My heartfelt condolences to his wonderful family.



Dear Marc, Dan, Laura and all of the family,

It was a true privilege to know Mel and Linda and to consider them our friends.

Mel's love for Kansas City -- and his willingness to put his energy into making KC a better place for us all -- will be long remembered and cherished.   "The good men do lives after them"  -- in their works and most especially in their children and grandchildren.

Katheryn Shields
Phil Cardarella

Mel Solomon was a wonderful, gracious man.  Passionate, intelligent, obstinate, buoyant, infuriating.  I am blessed to have known him.

Best wishes to his family.

I have wonderful memories working with Mel in the mid-80s. He hired me as marketing coordinator and was a generous and supportive mentor. Mel taught me to appreciate architecture and design and more importantly, encouraged me to stretch myself and try new things. 

Marc, Laura and family, I’m sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing. 

Pola Firestone


Marc and Laura: 

My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.  

Leane 

Marc, Dan, Laura and rest of the Solomon family:

I just saw the news about your father's passing and just wanted to express my sincere condolences.  Marc, even though I only met your father twice, I know what a strong presence he was in your life going back to when we first started working together.  But the memory that stands out the most from meeting him was how incredibly proud he was of you.  I'm so sorry for your loss.

Matt

Laura and Marc
I was saddened to hear of the death of your father Mel. Your obituary did a great job in describing the richness and passion in Mel’s life.  This was his role in our architecture practice of 16 years. He loved developing business and political connections and often supported causes and candidates. I am the opposite so I worked at getting the projects developed. We did some good work and I am am proud of what we did together. We shared the same office for a dozen years and since neither of us had brothers, we developed and strong bond for some time.  I have good memories of our time together starting with our first office in a spare bedroom in his house. It is to bad Mel did not get to serve on city Council. He would have been good at it


Mel was always so generous with his time for Armour Hills. He had a combination of intelligence, caring and the ability to work with people that made him ideal for his service on the board. 
Thanks Mel

I passed Linda and Mel's old house on a long walk with my kids recently, and was thinking about him. I worked for Mel over a couple of summers between semesters in college in 2001 and 2002, and learned so much from him at the start of my career. My first few months with him were helping him to make upgrades around his house in Armour Hills, re-screeding and laying the brick patio (and learning what the word “screed” meant), doing fine paintwork following his handyman, and more. Then I helped him with the design of his office down at Linwood and Main, and was the assistant to all of the subcontractors as it was built. I remember referring to it as the “wax-on / wax-off” method of learning to be an architect, and I still use some of the tree stamps he gave me to use in my Studio classes at Washington University. 😊 

My deepest condolences to you and the family. We’ll be making a contribution in his memory.  


Dearest Laura, Marc, Daniel, Madeline, Zoe, and Joshua,
My deepest condolences to all of you on the loss of your Father, Father-in-Law, and Grandfather.
The obituary and reading of Mel’s life was quite a telling tribute and salute to an incredible life.
Know that you are surrounded by a sustaining and supportive community of family and friends, including me.
May you find comfort and peace as time and grief pass.
Sincerely and with love,
Jackie Cherry

I knew your dad for forty years and was glad to have him for a neighbor. He never really left armour hills. As I walk pass his house with my dogs, I remember him every day. 🙏 for you during this difficult time. Sharon Henry

Dear Laura and Marc,
We were so saddened to hear about the passing of your dad, Mel.  I will miss him very much and his incredibly warm presence. Thinking of you all and sending love and support during this very difficult time.  Love to you both and to Madeline, Zoe and Josh.
Love always, Jenn, Cliff, Maddy and Maya xoxo

Laura and Marc and Dan,
We are so sorry to hear of Mel’s passing.  
Yes, Mel’s memory is an everlasting blessing.  We are so very grateful to have known Mel and for the times we shared together.   We particularly remember one time while we were visiting at his house and the neighbor brought over their Golden Retriever for Mel to “watch” for the day (or some period of time.) The little girl delivering and picking up the dog wasn’t much bigger than her dog.   It truly made Mel’s day, both spending time with ‘his’ Golden Retriever and receiving so much love and care from his wonderful neighbors.  
Mel and Glenn enjoyed listing to music in Glenn’s car often at unreasonable volumes.    Mel appreciated a good sound system.  He and Glenn worked together on getting his music system and the big speakers on his home stereo system working again.   
We enjoyed going to services together at Beth Torah and then out to dinner afterwards.  Mel was always full of great stories.  Both Mel and Estelle had some of the same teachers at J.C. Nichols Grade School. . .  just 20 some odd years apart!
Mel shared stories with us of the beginnings of Beth Torah’s building. He put so much thought into every detail of the project from the orentation on the site and the materials used, to the building’s details and symbolism throughout the sanctuary.   Today we are enjoying Mel’s vision and our beautiful, inspirational sacred space! Well done.  Thank you Mel.
Of all of Mel’s accomplishments, nothing lit him up like talking about his kids and grandkids. He was so proud of his family, pointing to pictures in his apartment at Village Shalom and saying, “aren’t they great!” He got so much nachas   from all of you. We find some comfort in the fact that he was surrounded at the end of his journey by those he loved. Mel will forever have a special place in our hearts and we will miss him greatly!
Sincerely, 
With great sadness and Love,
Glenn Esser & Estelle Edelbaum 


Mel was a great mentor and model to us all. As a Theater League board member, he designed the Quality Hill Playhouse, which has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Kansas City theatergoers. It wasn't easy, figuring out how to stick an intimate theater in a building designed to be a garage. Mel did that and so much more for our town. We will miss him

OBITUARY

Melvin Solomon

30 September, 1936 – 22 April, 2020

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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