Drew Mellen

March 15, 1954 – October 27, 2018

Dr. Arthur “Drew” William Mellen, IV, beloved husband, adored brother, proud father, idolized grandfather, and devoted physician, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His passing came after a 12-year battle with myelofibrosis and leukemia, throughout which he demonstrated a level of soft-spoken determination and grit that his family will forever aspire to emulate.

Drew was born March 15, 1954 to the late Mary “Mare” Jane Lind Mellen and Arthur “Andy” William Mellen, III. The eldest of 6 children who grew up together in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy (’72) before matriculating to Harvard College (’76). He then studied medicine at Jefferson Medical College (’80), after which he completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital, where he went on to practice as a physician for 33 years. Over the course of his career he delivered more than 7,000 babies and mentored hundreds of residents and fellows. He was adored by his patients, who appreciated his calming presence, and was deeply respected by his colleagues and peers, who valued his mentorship and friendship.

On August 21, 1982 he married Jennifer Ann Metzler, also of Bethlehem. They settled in the Barclay Farms neighborhood of Cherry Hill, NJ, where within a close community of dear friends they raised four children, Peter (1984), Gregory (1986), Phoebe (1989), and Matthew (1991).

An avid athlete throughout his youth, he took to running in medical school. In total, he completed 17 marathons, with a personal best of 2:48. His standing offer of $100 to any friend of his children who can beat his best time will continue to be honored by his family. He later took to golf, a passion he shared with his brothers and his dear Cherry Hill friends. A true sports enthusiast, he was a lifelong New York Giants fan and cherished decades of friendly banter with his friends, patients, and coworkers - even the Eagles fans among them.

His favorite place in the world was Avalon, NJ where he had vacationed with his family as a child, and where he and Jenn have continued to vacation with their family to this day. Some of his family’s fondest and purest memories of Drew involve summers at the beach with cousins, friends, and most recently grandchildren.

A man of few words, he had a realistic yet positive outlook on life: there’s a lot you can’t control, so don’t dwell on it, and go do what you can with what you’ve got. Common manifestations of his perspective were phrases like, “What’re you gonna do?”, “Suck it up”, and “Figure it out”- refrains that he would repeat throughout his fight with cancer. Never one to complain, when asked how he was doing throughout his treatment, even in the harshest phases, he would reliably reply, “Good.”

His family, friends, coworkers and patients all absorbed his resilience, as well as his appreciation for the fact that the most important things in life are the simple ones right in front of you – loving family, dear friends, fulfilling work, and good jokes (and of course the New York Football Giants). His was a gentle presence that made those around him feel appreciated and at ease, and he will be sorely missed by all.

Drew is survived by his wife, Jennifer Metzler Mellen, of Cherry Hill, NJ; son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Laura Mellen, and grandchildren, Benjamin and Tessa Mellen, of Wayland, MA; son, Gregory Mellen, of Cambridge, MA; daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Phoebe Mellen and Dr. Ryan Watson, of Philadelphia, PA; and son, Matthew Mellen, of San Francisco, CA. He is predeceased by his sister, Susan Mellen Hahn, and survived by his 4 living siblings: Lynn Mellen Wendell of San Francisco, CA; Robert Lind Mellen of Duxbury, MA; M. Scott Mellen of Boston, MA; Christopher Mellen of Lynnfield, MA; as well as their spouses and his 16 beloved nieces and nephews.

Drew and his family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the hospital staff that supported him throughout his treatment – particularly the transfusion and bone marrow transplant staff at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Family and friends are invited to a Visitation Thursday, November 1st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at BLAKE-DOYLE Funeral Home, 226 W. Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 2nd at 11:00 am at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Drew Mellen Fund c/o Dr. Steven Ralston, Department of OB/GYN at Pennsylvania Hospital at 2 Pine East, 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, or to the National Marrow Donor Registry at www.bethematch.org. Please also consider joining the marrow donor registry.