Gilford-----Dr. David W. Merrell, 89, of 71 Broadview Terrace, died at the Lakes Region General Hospital, Laconia on Tuesday, June 17, 2014.
Dr. Merrell was born February 21, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana, the son of the late Horace B. and Mildred (Lind) Merrell. He served as a medic in the U.S. Army, 3rd Infantry Division Medical Corp during WWII. He resided in Orchard Lake, Michigan for many years before moving to Gilford thirty years ago.
Dr. Merrell received his Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from Michigan State University. He spent several years in clinical practice at a large neuro-psychiatric hospital and for thirty years, was a consultant with Rohrer, Hibler & Replogle, Inc. (RHR), international psychological consultants to management. He managed the Detroit office of RHR, managed the Mid-West and Eastern regions of RHR and was Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors. His responsibilities included RHR’s publications, training and research.
As chairman of the legislative committee of the Michigan Psychological Association, Dr. Merrell was a leader in obtaining the first certification law for psychologists in Michigan. He was licensed in New York and Connecticut as well.
Dr. Merrell’s consulting experience embraced a wide range of industries, including automotive, chemical, publishing, insurance and utilities. He led the development of RHR expertise in family mobility studies (for prospective overseas assignments), life cycle and evolution theory of organization, multi-dimensional (matrix) organization structures, and RHR’s full field systems for organization analysis. He contributed to two RHR books and numerous RHR articles and journals and served as editor of RHR’s bimonthly newsletter for executives titled “For CEO’s Only.”
Dr. Merrell enjoyed hunting, fishing, tennis, sail boating, motor boating, water skiing and snow skiing. He was a musician, playing the trumpet and was a “Ping Pong Champ”.
Dr. Merrell was a member and president of the New Hampshire Music Festival, a member and president of the Governor’s Island Association and was a leader and Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a tenor soloist for numerous church choirs.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Audrey Mae “Ivy” (Iverson) Merrell of Gilford, N.H.; a son, David Charles Merrell of Stamford, Conn; a daughter, Cindy Louise (Merrell) Savard of Fremont, N.H.; four grandchildren, Paul David Merrell, Jaimie Elizabeth Merrell, Andrew David Savard and Kaitlyn Mae Savard; one great grandchild, Violet Lynn Merrell; one niece and five nephews. In addition to his parents, Dr. Merrell was predeceased by a brother, Richard Merrell.
There will be no calling hours.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 2:00pm at the Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, N.H. Rev. Michael Graham, Pastor of the Church, will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Raymond C. Wixson Memorial Garden, Gilford, N.H.
Following the burial, a reception will held in the Church Hall.
Flowers are welcome. For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be sent to the Gilford Community Church Music Department, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH 03249 or to the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.