Melich was born in Bingham Canyon, Utah to parents who were immigrants from Serbia.[1] In high school and college Melich worked as a copper miner in Bingham Canyon.[2] He received a law degree from the University of Utah in 1934.[1] That same year he moved to Moab, Utah.[1] He worked as Moab attorney and also as Grand County, Utah attorney.[1] He was elected to the Utah State Senate in 1942.[1] He served in the state senate until 1950 and was the majority leader in 1949.[2] In 1948 he ran unsuccessfully for U.S. congress.[1]
In 1952 he was involved with Charles Steen in founding Utex Exploration Co.[1][3] He also was president of Uranium Reduction Co. from 1954 to 1962.[1]
While he was solicitor to the interior department Melich served for a short time as acting secretary of the interior after Walter J. Hickel was removed from office.[2]
