Active, vital, funny and full of pep at 93, Leo Melzer credits his docent work at Will Rogers State Historic Park for his longevity. A volunteer at the park since 2002, Melzer is light-hearted about his age, surmising that it seems to be his most outstanding accomplishment to date. His secret: ‘Keep breathing.’ Melzer also holds the distinction of being one of the last few people living today who met the philosopher cowboy in person. His Civilian Conservation Corps duty took him from Gary, Indiana, to Lake Tahoe, where Melzer met Rogers in 1933 at a tree-planting ceremony. In 1940, after Melzer graduated from Indiana University with a business degree, he pursued a news career that included stints at City News Bureau in Chicago, United Press International, and the Los Angeles Mirror before joining the foreign service of the U. S. Information Agency in Washington, D.C. He served as information officer in Seoul, Korea, and Dusseldorf, Germany, before returning to Washington and retirement. Melzer has three children: son Mark, an Irvine-based architect, daughter Holly, owner of a tennis clothing company in Boulder, Colorado; and daughter Bell, recently retired from her career as a small-claims court referee in Christ Church, New Zealand. ‘Leo Melzer dazzles the public with his wit and humor,’ says State Park Interpreter Michael Allan. ‘Park visitors love to hear about his meeting with Will Rogers.’ Visitors can catch Melzer’s ‘Good Will’ tour on Tuesdays at Will Rogers State Historic Park and hear about his encounter with the man himself. Training is free. Contact: Michael Allan at 310-454-8212, ext. 103. Allan will be conducting a new docent class three Saturdays in March. Docents will give house tours either during the weekdays or on weekends. The 18-hour training program includes videos, VIP tours, activities and lunch. Volunteers will learn about life and times of Will Rogers, and study the art and artifacts that are on display in the house. The training dates: Saturday, March 14, 21, and 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
