Melville’s distinguished career includes many awards and recognition from the public and his peers, but it is coated with a wicked, sometimes over-the-top sense of humor as profound as his renowned sweet tooth.

“Many of you have asked me why I am retiring,” he said to the scores of well-wishers who attended the judge’s retirement party Oct. 21. “I will give you the same answer I gave them. I FORGET.”

His wife, Vicki, retired from her job in administration at Allan Hancock College on Oct.31.

“I’m trying to get the feeling of retirement, but I haven’t got it yet. It just feels like vacation,” he said in a telephone interview last week.

But he produced his own tongue-in-cheek “Top Ten” list of things he’s going to do in retirement, he told party guests.

“Number 10: Get on a SMAT bus, ride to the end of the line. Change buses. Repeat.”

Melville moved to Santa Barbara County in 1971, leaving a job he liked in the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office because of smog and the desire to raise a family in a different environment. He joined the D.A.’s office in Santa Maria, went into private practice, and then was appointed to the municipal court bench in 1987 by then-Governor George Deukmejian. Three years later he was elevated to the superior court.

“Number 9: Become famous by submitting videos of Judge Bill McLafferty to You Tube.”

Before McLafferty became presiding judge, Melville held the positions of presiding and assistant presiding judge as well as serving as supervising judge of the civil division for most of his 20 years holding the gavel.

“Number 8: Watch all the ‘law’ shows on TV, and then write the producers long letters about how ‘that’ could have NEVER happened in real life.”

He believes the public, who may have a distorted view of the court system, should value judges who “go to work every day, five days a week, all year round and patiently make decisions. I want them there.”

“Number 7: Write a book about all the other judges on the court entitled: ‘Secrets Under the Robe.’ ”

When Melville’s bailiff announced the “All rise” when the judge entered the courtroom for his final October calendar with attorneys, a standing ovation erupted from the lawyers, court staff and other judges.

“It was a very moving moment … a surprise,” he recalled.

His administrative assistant of 17 years helped plan the event.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him speechless,” said Carrie Wagner.

“Number 6: Go around helping Ed McMahon deliver those giant checks.”

Melville has also been involved with the community, including serving as president of the Orcutt Union School District board of trustees. He has been a member of several charity organizations, local and national Bar Associations and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, among others.

“Number 5: Call and wake up all those people that woke ME up in the middle of the night requesting temporary restraining orders.”

“He’s never impatient. He’s such a wonderful man to work with and for,” Wagner said.

“Number 4: Catch up on Oprah reruns so I can figure out who this ‘Dr. Oz’ guy is.”

The county board of supervisors presented a signed resolution honoring Melville.

“Whereas … Judge Melville plans during his retirement to work on part-time judicial assignments, travel, horseback riding and photography.”

“Number 3: Co-author an expose with former (Santa Maria Times) columnist Steve Corbett entitled ‘The Inside Scoop on Larry Lavangnino.’ ”

Santa Maria, with Lavangnino as mayor, was pinned by an international spotlight during the 2005 trial of pop star Michael Jackson, which Corbett covered daily. Melville, who presided over the child molestation case in which Jackson was found not guilty, has reportedly said he turned down all offers to write a book or appear on TV.

The City of Solvang also issued a proclamation of recognition.

“Whereas, Judge Melville has always set a perfect example on the bench, especially during the highly publicized Michael Jackson trial where, in the midst of the circus media, he conducted the trial in a very careful and patient manner …”

“Number 2: Go to a Michael Jackson concert … wearing my pajamas.”

Melville respects the judicial system where he believes judges around the country “do a wonderful job … hundreds of judges making thousands of decisions … resolving disputes between human beings.

“What we’re doing here is stopping ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’ ” he says.

Being appointed a judge he says is the pinnacle of his profession. “You go from being an advocate to being neutral” with many opportunities.

“And the number 1 thing I’m going to do when I retire is: Walk around the streets of Santa Maria, randomly shouting, ‘I’LL be the judge of that!’ ”