GRAVES, Melvin M. Jr.

GRAVES, Melvin M. Jr.(Cleveland OH, Jan 3, 1941--Dubuque, IA, October 23, 2026]] The son of Melvin MacPike Graves Sr, M.D and Dorothy Fisher Graves, Mel lived in Warsaw, New York during his father’s residency. The family moved to Pocatello, Idaho in 1949.

At Pocatello High School, earning his college prep diploma in 1959. He then completed his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts at Johns Hopkins University in 1963. Mel furthered his education at the University of Chicago, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration and Management in 1965. He moved to Dubuque, IA in 1976 for his leadership position at the Finley Hospital, where he met his spouse of 49 years, Beverly Graves.

Mel dedicated the first chapter of his career to healthcare administration. Over the years, he brought vital leadership, care, and management expertise to several major medical centers across the country, serving at University Hospitals of Cleveland, [[FINLEY HOSPITAL (THE), and the Milwaukee County Medical Complex.

Among his achievements at Finley Hospital as Executive Director and Administrator, he worked in 1977 with the Dubuque City Council to secure significant funding to provide a modern surgical suite and directed the hospital in acquiring nursing school credentials. In 1983, he navigated a high-profile contract with a major health insurance company. In the early 1980s, he served as the United Way Chairperson, and helped raise in excess of $1 million dollars toward its annual campaign, a record amount at that time.

Later in life, Mel transitioned into residential real estate at Brissey Realty, where he served as a full-time real estate agent in Dubuque for 30 years, and was awarded MLS Realtor of the year in 2009. He also worked at H&R block for several years providing many with tax advice and preparation service.

Beyond his career, Mel invested time and interest in protecting and cultivating the natural beauty of the city he loved. He served faithfully as the treasurer for the Dubuque Arboretum Association, working tirelessly behind the scenes to support the growth and operations of the DUBUQUE ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS. He also helped with numerous plays that Beverly produced at BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and was a board member with TWO BY TWO. He was a member of the FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST for 48 years and served in several volunteer capacities.

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Source:

Dubuque Today