Herb is a pediatrician, one of whose patients is Jake Harper. Herb was a widower with no children when he began dating Jake's mother, Judith Harper, who was divorced at the time. Herb and Judith married in Season 4, Episode 20, at which point Herb became Jake's stepfather. The marriage broke up after Judith discovered Herb had been having an affair with his secretary. Herb got the house and Judith moved away. Alan and Herb became buddies. Walden also befriended Herb. Herb is very tall, probably at least 6 ft 4 in, and has reddish hair and a fair complexion that he must protect while out in the sun or he develops freckles. Herb is also a HO gauge model train enthusiast. Herb's birthday is St. Valentine's Day, February 14. Dr. Melnick's full name is Dr. Gregory Herbert Melnick but goes by Herb.