South Coast Times

Douglas County Commissioners, Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress were deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of beloved resident and Vietnam War Veteran, Melvin (Mel) Charles Cheney, Jr., on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the age of 71.   The Commissioners, along with their families, would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to his wife, Elaine, and their son Nathan Cheney (Nicole), stepson, Kris Hardy (Stefanie), stepdaughter Dawn Mounce, his 4 grandchildren, his family, his many friends, his Community Cancer Center family, the veteran community and the citizens of Douglas County who had the incredible honor of knowing Mel.

Mel was more than just a resident of our county, he was the embodiment of a true, unselfish community servant.  His legacy of service and dedication to the local veteran community, the Roseburg Cancer Center and to many local boards and clubs will be admired and missed for many years to come.  Mel was a longtime chair and member of the Douglas County Veterans Advisory Council, and he was also proud to serve on boards for the Community Cancer Center, YMCA, Roseburg Rod & Gun Club, Home Owners Association, Roseburg Executive Club, Josh Bidwell Foundation, Casa de Belen, Rotary and the Roseburg City Council.

Mel Cheney proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1977.  He was a military police officer, Sentry and Scout dog handler in Vietnam.  Like many of those who served in Vietnam, he did not talk a lot about his time in Vietnam.   But, again, as a U.S. soldier, veteran and warrior, when he returned home from serving our country, he wanted to do something good, and help others.  Mel wanted to make a difference.  So, he went to school and obtained degrees that enabled him to administer cancer treatments, and he spent the next 36 years of his life dedicated to the care of cancer patients, especially in the field of radiation therapy.  Along the way, Mel felt that it wasn’t enough to just give treatments, he also wanted to learn how to teach others how to provide cancer services to people who were sick.  So, he went back to school and earned a Masters in Education, so he could teach people how to give treatments as well.  Mel went on to run multiple cancer facilities, started an associate degree program in radiation therapy at a community college and initiated two radiation therapy programs. In 2001, Mel and his wife moved to Roseburg, when he was hired as the Executive Director at the Roseburg Community Cancer Center.  He was most proud of the work he did with his team to build and complete a state of the art cancer facility here in Douglas County that provides a multitude of services for people with cancer.  

Mel loved his family, his friends, his dogs, gardening and teaching others.   Over the years he taught work center management at various military bases throughout the continental United States, owned a karate studio and functioned as a black belt instructor in Chinese martial art called Mon Su Dom Tai and served as a pistol range officer and instructor.  Mel definitely led a blessed life.

“Mel was and will always be my favorite Veteran!   Mel took his commitment and honor for proudly serving our country, his knowledge, his ability and his desire to serve in order to dedicate his life to the service of others.  He was not worried about helping himself, he was worried about what he could do in his life to make sure he was doing the very best to help others.  Mel Cheney was one of my best friends and he will be incredibly missed,” stated Commissioner Tim Freeman.

Original source can be found here.