Melville Hirsh Rockoff

Melville Hirsh Rockoff peacefully passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Mel was born on September 26, 1936, in Denver, Colorado to Esther Feldman Rockoff and Edward Rockoff. The family moved to Houston, Texas when Mel was a teenager where he graduated from San Jacinto High School. Mel went on to attend the University of Texas, pledging Sigma Alpha Mu. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston earning bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and biology. After briefly working in Los Angeles, California for Max Factor as a chemist, Mel returned to Houston to begin his studies at the University of Houston College of Optometry. After graduating, he began a long and fulfilling career as a Doctor of Optometry in Houston. Mel married his wife, Suzanne (Shapiro), on September 2, 1962. They welcomed three children, Julie, Stuart, and Karen, and later their spouses and children. Mel leaves behind his loving wife, Suzanne; his children, Julie (Rob) Lang, Stuart (Susan) Rockoff, and Karen Rockoff; his grandchildren, Jordan, Nina, and Jackson Lang, Ella and Zoey Rockoff, and Garrett and Zachary Gowe; his brothers, David Rockoff, Richard Rockoff, and Max (Gloria) Rockoff; along with brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Latosha Mack for her loving care and to the staff at The Tradition - Buffalo Speedway. A funeral service will take place on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 12:00 pm in the Herman & Elaine Proler Chapel at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden, 1101 Antoine Drive, Houston, Texas 77055. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made in honor of Dr. Melville H. Rockoff to the Foundation for Education and Research in Vision (FERV) by visiting https://www.uhcofoundation.org/opr/s/donation, selecting Gift of Your Choice, then designating “In Memory of Melville H. Rockoff” in Named Endowment. A shiva fund has been set up in Mel’s name at Houston Catering Concepts for those interested in contributing, https://www.houstoncatering.com/shiva-fund-donations.

Melville Hirsh Rockoff

September 26, 1936 - June 1, 2026