Austin Melgar

Austin Melgar was an energetic, loving and strong boy who lived life to the fullest in the time he was given. Austin was a light of joy to his family and an inspiration to friends, neighbors, teachers, fellow students, and even strangers. He was mature beyond his years, displaying an understanding of God that adults can only marvel at yet he still loved to steal your nose and pour cold water on your feet in the shower.

Born January 26, 2001 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Thomas and Francine (Bruder) Melgar, Austin was the youngest of five children. Along with his parents, Austin was welcomed into the family by his older brother and sisters: Brianna, Danielle, Sarah, and Ryan. Ryan was especially pleased to see an additional boy in the family to better the ratio of boys to girls! Austin’s parents were raising their close knit family in Portage. Times were good, not only economically, but in all the areas that make raising a family of seven a sacrament and a calling.

Austin was “all boy,” and as his mother admitted, “Just a handful of go, and never stop.” Backing the car out of the driveway at two years old, Austin gave his parents an indication that he marched to a different drummer! His grandma predicted that he would be a wrecking ball operator! Tearing up the soccer field, splashing in the family pool, and hanging out with his male cousins were all activities Austin was passionate about. In his early years, his passions kept the emergency room hopping to keep him stitched up and healthy.

It was his passion for soccer that gave Austin’s parents their first indication that something was amiss. Limping at the soccer game and scoring seven goals instead of the usual twenty was not something Austin was used to. Further investigation revealed that Austin had a rare form of childhood cancer of the nervous system called Neuroblastoma. Austin was four and a half years old. The family rallied together to do whatever it took to help Austin. There were numerous experimental therapies, chemotherapies and radiation taking the family from Kalamazoo to New York, Vermont and Detroit. Some of these efforts gave Austin a reprieve and an excellent quality of life. Ultimately he succumbed to complications of these therapies ironically nearly free of cancer.

Through it all, Austin was a trooper. Complaining was not in his nature. He endured all the treatments, all the pain with a positive attitude and a ready smile. Throughout the two and a half years of trial, something miraculous happened. While the family rallied around Austin, the community rallied around him and his family. Friends, neighbors, and schoolmates donated meals, time, and support, even organizing a carnival for Austin to have a blast and to help raise money to fight Neuroblastoma. Austin never lost his rambunctious spirit, sometimes playing pranks on the nurses that he loved so much. Always a night owl, it was the night time staff that Austin knew the best. Austin loved watching Home Improvement, and Disney shows like High School Musical and Phineas and Ferb and Scoobie Doo. When he could, he requested Key lime frozen yogurt, cotton candy confetti ice cream, kettle corn, steak and beef and broccoli. Austin was also passionate about Sudoku, cards, board games and his buddy Caleb, the family Border collie.

God took Austin’s hand with his family at his side on Thursday April 24, 2008 in the warmth of his home.

Austin Melgar was and always will be a joy to his family and an inspiration to the community in which he lived. His qualities of endurance, cheerfulness, and passion for life will be remembered by all who knew him.

Learn more about Austin, view his life story film and visit with his family and friends on Monday from 6:00-8:00 pm and Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 pm at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo 6080 Stadium Drive 375-2900. A prayer service will take place Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Church with Fr. Ken Schmidt, celebrant. Interment will take place immediately following. Food and fellowship will follow back at St. Catherine’s church hall. Austin was preceded in death by his grandfather, Patrick Bruder. Austin is survived by his parents Tom and Fran (Bruder) Melgar; three sisters and one brother, Brianna, Danielle, Sarah, Ryan Melgar, all of Portage; 3 grandparents Corinne Bruder of Farmington Hills, MI, Fabian and Dorothy Melgar of Mt. Sinai, NY; 13 aunts, uncles and their spouses, an abundance of adoring cousins, and an overwhelmingly supportive community, a community that went above and beyond in caring for Austin and his family. Please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory or photo, sign his online guest book or make a memorial contribution to the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation or the Ronald McDonald House Charities.