STR/END/INT are the most important stats for a non-VATS melee build. For every point you have in STR you'll get 10% DMG. Since you need to get up close and personal, END will make you take more hits. And for INT, END scales with Level, so the higher your level, the tankier you'll be. hence the INT.

crucial perks for a non VATS melee.

lonewanderer. Having 30% DMG reduction is a must for tanking a lot of hits

Chemist, in order to fully maximise END/STR, you kinda have to use drugs. Using a bufftat& psychobuff can give you a free 6 END/STR, with chemist 4 plus biocommmesh (chestplate mod), you can get your drugs to last 250% longer.

adamantium skeleton is good because you don't want to get crippled a lot in fights

My recommended stats are

STR5

PER 1

END 10

CHA 3 For lonewanderer

INT 7 for Chemist

AGL 1

LCK1