Mel Appelbaum

Mel was born in the Bronx but raised in Queens.[2] Mel attended Martin Van Buren HS and Indiana Tech for College.[2] Mel went to [[St. John's University (New York City)}St. John's University]] for his master's degree in Mathematics. Mel earned his doctorate from Poly Tech / NYU [2] Mel was an active member of the Morristown Jewish Center.[4]

Mel was the owner of a US Patent FIRE PREVENTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A system or method that has an air distribution system configured to provide nitrogen into a room to reduce an oxygen concentration level within the room below a desired oxygen concentration level such that the atmosphere in the room fails to provide sufficient oxygen to sustain combustion. [5] In fact he is the owner of several other patents related to Fire Prevention Systems.[5] Mel wrote numerous academic articles including "A heuristic method for estimating time-series models for forecasting" which was under "Applied Mathematics and Computation" [6]

Mel founded the Indiana Tech Judo Club in 1962.[7] While there he won the state Judo championship twice.[7] Mel was a national medalist in the United States in Judo.[8] Mel would beat national competitors such as Odell Terry [9] Mel was the National Collegiate Judo Champion.[2] Mel competed in the 1964 Olympic Trials losing in the final match to eventual Olympian once to Senator and Governor Ben Campbell.[2] to Mel served as a chairman for the New York Open along with Arthur Canario[8]

Mel served as the Chairman of the USA Judo Referee Commission.[10] Mel eventually referred at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.[2] He was also a referee at the 1996 Paralympic Games. Mel also referred at the World Championships and Pan Am Games.[2] Mel was instrumental in bringing for the first US Olympic Women's Judo Team.[11] Mel received an 8th degree Black Belt in Judo.[1]

World Judo Championships