Sallyportal: Madly Blogging Reed

Reed mourns death of Prof. Melissa Schlachtmeyer

By Robin Tovey '97 on August 13, 2014 11:19 AM
Melissa Schlachtmeyer

Prof. Melissa Schlachtmeyer [theatre 2012-14]

We are very sad to report the death of Assistant Professor Melissa Schlachtmeyer. Prof. Schlachtmeyer died in Italy on August 6 as a result of complications from breast cancer. Her husband, daughter, parents, and sister were by her side. She was 41 years old.

Schlachtmeyer joined the Reed theatre department in 2012 and was a beloved and valued teacher, mentor, colleague, designer, and friend. She was instrumental in developing the new costume shop and the current theatre curriculum. Read more about her broad-based career as a costume designer for opera, dance, and theatre.

“She was clearly a woman of great accomplishments and talent,” recalls Jay Dickson, professor of English & humanities, “I had looked forward to getting to know her better in the coming years, and I am so sad and shocked that now I won’t.”

A memorial service will be held on campus once fall semester is underway and students have returned to campus. Our condolences go out to her family, including husband Jonathan Newman and their seven-year-old daughter Amelia, her students, and her colleagues.

Students who would like counseling can find immediate support via the Health & Counseling Center. Clinical staff are available, and you can call the HCC at 503/517-7349. Let the receptionist know that you would like to connect with a counselor regarding this loss.

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