Donald R Trueblood

Donald was born on 10 March, 1927, the first son of Raymond and Hazel Trueblood of Bloomington, IN. He graduated Bloomington High School in 1944, and attended Indiana University for one year prior to going to the United States Naval Academy in 1945. A member of the Class of 1949, 1st Company, Donald rowed varsity heavyweight crew.

Donald is survived by his beloved wife, Cécile, to whom he was married for more than 61 years; his sons, David and Michael; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, William (Captain, USN-Ret), of Edgewater, MD.

His first assignment in the Navy was to the Public Works Department, NAS Alameda, CA where he met and married Cécile. In his next assignment, he spent a year at Rennselear Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY studying civil engineering. From there, Donald went to the Public Works Department on Guam (where David was born). Next were brief assignments in Tampa, Charleston (where Michael was born), and Naval Supply Center, Oakland, CA.

In 1958, Donald was assigned to Mobile Construction Battalion 6 in Davisville, RI, and, in 1960, to Fleet Marine Force Atlantic in Norfolk, VA.

His next tours were Assistant Public Works Officer, NNSY, Portsmouth, VA and Assistant Public Works Officer, Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, IN.

In 1966, Donald was promoted to Commander. He and his family moved to Naples, Italy where he spent three years as Public Works Officer at the Naval Support Activity. In 1970, after a year with the Seabees in Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam, Donald returned to Norfolk as O9B, Atlantic Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and was promoted to Captain.

Donald’s last tour was as Public Works Officer, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, VA

After retiring from the Navy in 1977, Donald spent one year as the Director of Public Works for the town of Stratford, CT before returning to Virginia Beach where he spent eleven years as the City Engineer.

Donald was a registered professional engineer in Indiana and Virginia, a member of Tau Beta Pi, held a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from RPI, and a master’s degree in Governmental Administration from The George Washington University. Donald was very active in the community and was president of his Rotary Club chapter, the Virginia Beach Sports Club, and the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association. From 1998 to 2000, he was a member of the Virginia Beach Wetlands Board. Donald was an active member of Eastern Shore Chapel.

Donald was a hero to his sons, and a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather.

A memorial service will be held at Eastern Shore Chapel in Virginia Beach at 2:00 PM on 18 February.

An inurnment service with military honors will be held at the United States Naval Academy at a later date.

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