Melbourne R. "Mel" Carriker, Ph.D, 92

LEWES - Melbourne R. "Mel" Carriker, Ph.D of Lewes died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes. He was 92.

Mr. Carriker was born Feb. 25, 1915, in Santa Marta, Columbia, South America, where his family owned a coffee plantation. He was the son of the late Melbourne Armstrong Jr. and Myrtle Carmelita (Flye) Carriker.

He developed an interest in zoological research at an early age. He graduated with honors from Rutgers University, and obtained his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin.

He was an assistant professor of zoology at Rutgers University and an associate professor of zoology at the University of North Carolina. He was the director of the Systematics Ecology Program, Marine Biology Laboratory of Woods Hole, Mass. In 1973, he was appointed professor of marine studies at the College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware, Lewes.

Mr. Carriker was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as a lieutenant junior grade during World War II on a PT boat.

He was the world"s foremost expert on the Oyster Drill, a shell-penetrating muricid gastropod. He also did ecological studies of the hard clam. He was the author of three books: "Vista Nieve", "Taming of the Oyster" and "The Bird Call of the Rio Beni" and more than 100 scientific publications. He was the official historian and a past president for the National Shell Fisheries Association and a past president of the Delaware Chapter of Partners of the Americas.

Mr. Carriker and his wife "Scottie" have lived in the Lewes-Rehoboth area for 33 years, moving here in 1973 from Falmouth, Mass. They are members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rehoboth Beach.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Meriel R. "Scottie" (McAllister) Carriker; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Eric and Lynn Carriker of Natick, Mass., Bruce Carriker of Seaford, Neal and Maureen Carriker of Gloucester, Mass. and Robert Carriker of Hudson, Mass.; a sister, Alvita Larimer of Stone Mountain, Ga.; a brother, Howard Carriker of Phoenix; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. March 10 in Westminster Presbyterian Church, King Charles and Laurel streets, Rehoboth Beach with the Rev. Dr. Frank S. Deming Jr. officiating.

Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the College of Marine Studies, benefit of graduate students, University of Delaware, 700 Pilottown Road., Lewes, DE 19958.

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.