It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Dr. Mel Richardson.
Dr. Mel is and will always be part of the heart and soul of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. He joined the Board of Directors in the spring of 2008, prior to the chimps’ arrival, and was instrumental in developing the philosophy of care that guides us today. He continued to oversee the care of the Cle Elum Seven for the next five and half years with boundless love and unwavering dedication.
During his visits to the sanctuary, Dr. Mel won over the chimpanzees and humans alike with his southern charm. He welcomed phone calls from worried staff at all hours, which he handled with patience and understanding. His calmness and reassurance during uncertain times is something we will always appreciate. And his vast knowledge and decades of experience – from zookeeper to veterinarian to activist – made him one of the most trusted members of the organization.
If his easy smile didn’t immediately win you over, his countless stories surely would. He seemed to have lived multiple lifetimes, soaking up every bit he could, and he never stopped planning for the next adventure or the next opportunity to offer his expert but humble assistance.
Dr. Mel dedicated his life to helping animals, and he was especially committed to seeing formerly abused and neglected captive exotic animals thrive in sanctuaries. Remarkably, the health and happiness of the Cle Elum Seven are but one small part of his amazing legacy. From Rwanda to Cle Elum to Bolivia, he traveled across the globe to help animals in need.
The chimpanzees at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest are fortunate to have an amazing team of veterinarians dedicated to their care, and you can rest assured that they are left in good hands. But we will all feel the void that Dr. Mel has left, as we mourn the loss of a kind, courageous, and compassionate soul.
Thank you, Dr. Mel.
Mel will be stuck at the Rainbow Bridge for eternity. There are numerous sweet souls that have been waiting there for his arrival. Our sadness is offset by their joy. Love you Mel – see you again some day xoxo
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. I am honored that I got to meet him. As Lynn said, our sadness is offset by the joy of the many souls that await him. Thank you for walking through the lives of the Cle Elum Seven, Dr. Mel!!!
I only met Dr. Mel once but feel like he was a close friend. His reputation and caring was so profound. The world, human and non-human will miss him.
Friends and family of Mel Richardson, I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. I’m sure that Mel must have touched thousands of lives over the decades, both human and non-human alike. He was such a warm and generous man, and this is a blow to so many. My heart goes out to everyone. Very very sad news; he is gone far too soon. I’m so thankful for the wonderful life he lead and shared.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Mel but did talk to him several times on the phone. He was always willing to help us out and was available for our veterinarians to consult with. I am sorry for the loss we will feel with his passing.
I had the honor of meeting him few times and will never forget his dedication to animal causes, his vast knowledge, experience and great work for our animals. Very polite, always smiling and ever ready to share his knowledge! We will miss him:-(
Although I never met Dr. Mel, I can see by what was written of him that the world has lost a wonderful soul. My condolences to his friends and family…you must be so very proud of the work he did and for all the animals and humans alike…whose lives he made better….
These pictures and words tell the perfect story. Mel loved all animals but had a special fondness for chimps, and it was gamma in the first picture that won his heard- look at the love! He so enjoyed the Cle Elem 7 and their people. And his compassionate heart bursts through in the last photo. Thank you for all you did, for all you were. My heart breaks knowing we won’t see your warm smile.
mine too Dawn. A lot of broken hearts today.
Dawn…and everyone who knew Mel, I am so sorry to hear this. I remember his amazing skill and calm with all the animals in Seattle. Dawn, please drop me a line at some point as I’d love to hear from you.
HI Penny, email me anytime. Missing the fun Seattle days but thank goodness for great freinds and memories. What an amazing man we were able to know and love.
I am so lucky to have been able to spend Dr Mel’s last days with him. He will always be remembered for his kind and gentle soul. Captive animals all over the world were so lucky to have been able to be saved and feel your love. Dr Mel, you are in our hearts forever.
I enjoyed meeting Mel when he and Dawn came to Stanley to visit us. People like him, that devote their life to animals and not the human material world make me embarrassed about my life of very little sacrifice. R.I.P. Mel and know that I still do give to try and help the circus elephants. You taught me about them and I thank you!
What can one say at any loss, much less the loss of someone like Dr. Mel? It is tragic to lose someone as special and dedicated as this man was to all who had the priviledge to know him, humans and animals alike. We never met him but knew about him and his work. What an amazing man who contributed in a major way to fix the wrongs of men who abused the many animals he treated. Don and I sent our sympathy to his family and to all at Cle Elum who will miss him each and every day. God bless his soul.
My husband Steve and I had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with Mel. His humor and wonderful smile made us love to be in the same room with him. We are in awe of the wonderful things he did for the animals and he was always a phone call away when you needed advise about your special dog or cat that was having medical issues. Dr. Mel did create a legacy that will live on and we can only live each day to the fullest as Mel did and have stories to tell him when we met again one day. We Love You Dr. Mel and in our memories you will remain forever.
Beautifully said, Pammy 🙂
Bless your soul, Dr. Mel! Thank you for all of the love and kindness you gave!
Although I never met Dr.Mel, I know I would have loved him.
I am so sorry to all of you that did know and love him. He will be greatly missed.
How will the chimps understand not seeing him?
Maybe a laminated photo of him to see.
It is so sad we lose the good, animal loving people too soon. The bastards keep on living.
Life is so unfare. May there be a place where he is at peace with all he loved.
Memories will keep him with you???
Although I never met Dr.Mel, I know I would have loved him.
I am so sorry to all of you that did know and love him. He will be greatly missed.
How will the chimps understand not seeing him?
Maybe a laminated photo of him to see.
It is so sad we lose the good, animal loving people too soon. The bastards keep on living.
Life is so unfare. May there be a place where he is at peace with all he loved.
Memories will keep him with you???
reading this touched my heart deeply. i am actually teary right now. this man – this wonderful man – who gave so much of himself for the animals. i am so happy to see the high regard with which all of you CSNW hold him in. i am thankful to this man that i never knew of ’til now. I PRAY that all of you at CSNW will keep his memory alive – somehow, someway – for the chimps. i’m wondering how they are going to handle this. THANKS TO ALL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS – the chimpanzees.
My wife, Laurie, and I had the privilege of touring the sanctuary in 2012 with Diane. We had not known of Dr. Mel and his years of devotion until now. Truly a loss for the animals in his care and all of us who marvel at such commitment and sacrifice. This must be an especially difficult time with Jennifer’s resignation as well. Our thoughts are with the staff and board as you fashion the path forward. A donation in Dr. Mel’s honor is on the way.
Thank you, David!
Rainbow Bridge has an awesome and most welcome resident and the chimps there are vey happy to have their friend with them. God speed and my heartfelt sadness to all at the sanctuary and remember you will see him again one day.
Saddened to hear this news – I knew Mel from Rwanda and Congo Brazzaville and was impressed by his professionalism and dedication, while greatly enjoying his company. My condolences to all who now miss him.