Remembering Professor Melvyn Menezes

Melvyn’s ability to engage students and make complex topics accessible was nothing short of magical.

Carey Morewedge, Professor and Chair, Marketing Department

Melvyn was not just an exceptional professor of marketing at Questrom; he was a mentor and guide who truly cared for his students. His dedication to understanding the challenges faced by aspiring marketing professionals was commendable. This was particularly evident in his interactions with his MBA students. Many of them, after taking Melvyn’s core Marketing class, would come to my electives and speak about how he constantly pushed them to think creatively and outside the box. I have no doubt that he inspired many to pursue illustrious careers in marketing.

I had the opportunity to sit in on a few of Melvyn’s case-based teaching sessions, and I was impressed by his mastery of the case teaching process. His passion for teaching was palpable. In my role as Department Chair, working with Melvyn was a pleasure. Each year, he and I would set aside time to chat about his workload. During those conversations, he would sometimes share updates about his daughter, Andrea. I distinctly remember the day he told me that Andrea was admitted to her MBA program—he was absolutely glowing with pride. More recently, he proudly shared Andrea’s many career highlights. It was clear how much Melvyn loved his family and how deeply he missed his dear wife, Maria.

I also had the opportunity to interact with him this past summer, running into him sometimes at a local business we both frequented in the neighborhood. He shared his excitement about his upcoming trip to India and the prospect of visiting his family and friends there. I am glad that he had the opportunity to fulfill that dream.

Melvyn was a wonderful and compassionate human being who had a significant and lasting impact on our students, curriculum, and alumni. His legacy will be felt at Questrom for many years to come.

Shuba Srinivasan, Marketing Professor

I was fortunate to have Melvyn Menezes as a friend for over 30 years.  We first met in the late 1980’s when we were colleagues at HBS and we ended up working together again at Questrom for more than 20 years.  He was a teacher’s teacher, a devoted husband and father, and a sought after marketing expert. He was an accomplished award winning academic, but the most lasting impression he made on everyone he met was his kindness.  He truly was one of the most genuinely nice people I’ve ever known.  He will be missed as much for what he was as for what he did. 

Pat Kauffman, Professor Emeritus

In memory of my dear friend, Melvyn Menezes, I find myself reflecting on the profound impact he had on so many lives at Questrom. Melvyn was not just a scholar and a teacher; he was a mentor who genuinely cared for his students, dedicating himself to understanding their challenges as aspiring marketing professionals. This was true for his MBA students and executives—everyone felt they had learned something valuable from him. He never hesitated to sacrifice his personal time, always ensuring that each student felt empowered to become the best marketing manager they could be. His influence was such that no student ever walked away untouched by his guidance, compassion, and wealth of knowledge.

For me, Melvyn was more than a colleague of thirty years; he was a mentor and a dear friend since 1985, when we both arrived in Boston. He taught me the art of teaching—though I could never hope to reach his level. He read my writings with genuine interest, always offering thoughtful insights, and he never failed to ask about my family, displaying a level of care that I may never have fully reciprocated. I witnessed him endure profound personal losses, first his brother and then his wife, yet he never let these tragedies darken his spirit. Melvyn remained a beacon of joy and positivity, a testament to his resilience and character.

We shared watching countless cricket games together—the highs and lows of India’s wins and losses—across many countries and continents. We had plans for 2025…but it is not to be.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became my bridge partner—a role he filled with the same patience and dedication he showed in all areas of his life. My level of play never matched his, but Melvyn guided me with kindness, teaching me with every move.

I miss him terribly, and I know the Questrom community will deeply feel the void of his absence. We can rarely say one person’s absence leaves an irreplaceable gap, but in Melvyn’s case, this is undeniably true. His presence was a gift to all who knew him, and his legacy will continue to inspire us. He will always be in my heart, and I am sure he will remain in the hearts of many blessed to know him.

Venkat Venkatraman, Professor Emeritus