Merlin "Mel" Morasch
Sept. 22, 1923 - March 21, 2018
Merlin "Mel" was born in Portland Sept. 22, 1923 the son of George Morasch who was born in Yagodnaya Polyana, Russia on November 27, 1892. George immigrated to Canada with his parents Peter and Maria Elisabeth (née Gerlitz) Morasch. George married Magdalena Mix from Romania on October 28, 1912 in Calgary, Canada. The Morasch family immigrated to the United States on June 22, 1920.
Except for his time in the Army, Portland was the only home he knew. He graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1940. After leaving Benson, he went to work at Boeing where he proudly worked on the B-17 Bomber assembly line. On April 6, 1943, he received his draft papers and joined the U.S. Army. He was placed in the ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program), a higher-education program at Fordham University instituted to provision the Army with junior officers. After only nine months in this program, the Army realized they didn't need more officers, they needed soldiers, and thus began his time with the U.S. Army's 104th Infantry Division – better known as the Timberwolves.
Merlin "Mel" was born in Portland Sept. 22, 1923 the son of George Morasch who was born in Yagodnaya Polyana, Russia on November 27, 1892. George immigrated to Canada with his parents Peter and Maria Elisabeth (née Gerlitz) Morasch. George married Magdalena Mix from Romania on October 28, 1912 in Calgary, Canada. The Morasch family immigrated to the United States on June 22, 1920.
Except for his time in the Army, Portland was the only home he knew. He graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1940. After leaving Benson, he went to work at Boeing where he proudly worked on the B-17 Bomber assembly line. On April 6, 1943, he received his draft papers and joined the U.S. Army. He was placed in the ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program), a higher-education program at Fordham University instituted to provision the Army with junior officers. After only nine months in this program, the Army realized they didn't need more officers, they needed soldiers, and thus began his time with the U.S. Army's 104th Infantry Division – better known as the Timberwolves.
From the 104th's training camp in Camp Carson, Colo., he landed in Cherbourg, France. Serving as a medic with the 329th Medical Battalion, he was one of the first medics sent into the Nordhausen Concentration Camp to search for survivors. Honorably discharged from the Army in November, 1945, he returned to Portland where he graduated from Reed College on the GI Bill in 1947.
His first job after graduation from Reed was as a physicist for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). While he enjoyed his time with the BPA, he had a burning desire to have his own business. In 1956, he founded Blue Ribbon Food Service, a home delivery service of frozen food to customers throughout Oregon and Washington. Today, the family business, now Morasch Meats, employs over 150 people at its two processing facilities in Portland and Wood Village. Remarkably, even into his 94th year, Mel still went into his office six days a week.
Mel is survived by his six children, Steven, Michael, Douglas, Alan, Melissa and Melody; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his baby sister, Ruth Williams and her husband, Chuck; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years and 8 days, Sallie; his brothers, Ed, Bill; and sister, Aleda Pollack.
His first job after graduation from Reed was as a physicist for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). While he enjoyed his time with the BPA, he had a burning desire to have his own business. In 1956, he founded Blue Ribbon Food Service, a home delivery service of frozen food to customers throughout Oregon and Washington. Today, the family business, now Morasch Meats, employs over 150 people at its two processing facilities in Portland and Wood Village. Remarkably, even into his 94th year, Mel still went into his office six days a week.
Mel is survived by his six children, Steven, Michael, Douglas, Alan, Melissa and Melody; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his baby sister, Ruth Williams and her husband, Chuck; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years and 8 days, Sallie; his brothers, Ed, Bill; and sister, Aleda Pollack.
Sources
Merlin "Mel" Morasch Obituary. OregonLive.com, March 22, 2018.
Obituary for George Morasch. The Oregonian, April 18, 1978.
U.S. Naturalization Record for Magdalena Morasch.
Morasch Family Continues Tradition of Blessing Students. Western Seminary website. Dec. 8, 2022.
Obituary for George Morasch. The Oregonian, April 18, 1978.
U.S. Naturalization Record for Magdalena Morasch.
Morasch Family Continues Tradition of Blessing Students. Western Seminary website. Dec. 8, 2022.
Last updated May 19, 2024