He was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Hattie Joesten, and brothers, Donald and Allen. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Maribel Joesten; daughter, Jo Ellen Frick (Paul): son, Charles Joesten (Adrienne); four grandchildren, Nathan (Amber) Frick, John (Ashley) Frick, Annika Joesten, Zander Joesten; five great-grandchildren, Reese Frick, Zella Frick, Grace and Jackson Reid and Dorothy Frick; and many nieces and nephews.
Mel was born and raised in Rochelle, Illinois. He attended Northern Illinois State Teachers College (now Northern Illinois University) where he majored in chemistry and earned a B.S. in Ed. in 1954. He met Maribel in the fall of his freshman year, and they were married in December of their senior year. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, he taught science courses at Oswego High School for two years and then attended University of Illinois where he earned M.S. (1959) and Ph.D. (1962) degrees in chemistry. Mel joined the Department of Chemistry at Southern Illinois University in 1962 and then accepted an appointment in the Department of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University in 1966. Mel enjoyed teaching and collaborating with students and faculty on chemical research and science education. He was honored with the Harvie Branscomb Distinguished Professor Award (1995-1996), and Student Organization Adviser of the Year (1998). Mel retired in 1998 as Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus.
Mel was very supportive of K-12 science education. He gave many workshops for elementary and middle school science teachers, and high school chemistry teachers. In 1994 he co-founded Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science (VSVS), a service organization of students from all areas of Vanderbilt University. Teams of VSVS members visit classrooms with VSVS kits to give hands-on science lessons. He served as faculty adviser and continued to help with VSVS for many years after he retired.
Mel’s favorite pastime was spending time with his family at the beach - in Cherry Grove, SC in the summer and in Sanibel Island, FL in the winter. He enjoyed singing and was a long-time member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and sang with the Music City Chorus and several quartets. Mel also sang with the Sanctuary Choir of Calvary United Methodist Church where he was a member for over fifty years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at three o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 3701 Hillsboro Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Vanderbilt University designated for VSVS, and sent to Gifts, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727; or Calvary United Methodist Church designated for Music Fund, or the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Woodlawn-Roesch-PattonFH.com for the Joesten family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18