Donald Gale Hehr

The eldest son of Ida (Ost) and Henry Hehr, Don was born in Kulm, North Dakota on April 11, 1934. As a child, his family moved to Seattle, Washington. He met his first wife, Barbara Jean Leigh, at Renton High School and they married soon after graduation in 1953. Together, they raised three children, Starlene, Stephen, and Koranne. After they divorced in 1970, Don moved to Oklahoma City where he met Constance Ann Myers. When they married on New Year’s Eve, Don also welcomed Connie’s son, Curtis, into his family.

Don began his 35-year career in aviation during the Korean War, when Don proudly served his country as an Air Traffic Controller in Goose Bay, Labrador. He was honorably discharged in late 1956 as an Airman First Class. Throughout his ensuing career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Don worked as an Air Traffic Controller in Seattle’s Air Route Traffic Control Center, and during his spare time became an instrument-rated pilot. Subsequent promotions in the FAA took him to Oklahoma City, where he was an FAA Academy Instructor; and then to Kansas City, where he successively worked as an FAA Evaluation Specialist in the Central Region, the Assistant Manager at Kansas City International (MCI) Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), the Air Traffic Manager at St. Joseph Missouri ATCT, and finally retiring as the Operations Manager at Kansas City International (MCI) ATCT in 1990.

Don had a special talent; he could fix almost anything. But more importantly, he didn’t believe in the word “can’t”. He built and remodeled several homes, rebuilt cars, and was a skilled pilot and co-owner of a Piper Cherokee. Don’s work ethic was notable. He had the ability and the drive to carry out anything he set his mind to. He would say, “Do it my way, because it’s the only correct way,” while his family and friends would say, “You can always tell a German, but you can’t tell him much!”

Don was an avid boater and loved to water ski. He put many miles on his favorite boat teaching his children and friends the sport he loved. He also liked to travel. Spending summers with four teenagers in a motorhome discovering the USA may not appeal to many, but to Don it was pure joy. Later, Don and Connie would follow their wanderlust to exotic locations around the world, usually with their best friends of over 50 years, Don and Judy Hensley.

Don would drop everything to help someone in need, whether it be a family member, friend, or someone he just met. He was especially generous to his mother- and father-in-law, building them a home on Lake Viking where they lived happily for many years.

Don is survived by his wife of 53 years, Connie; their children: Starlene (Michael) Ward, Stephen (Debbie) Hehr, Curtis (Jackie) Burton, and Koranne (Michael) Randow; nine grandchildren: Chad Hansen-Hehr, Katarina (Ryan) Ford, Alexis Randow, Amanda Randow, Chace Ward, Christopher Burton, Cory (Christina) Hehr, Amanda (Kevin) Sodano, and Jake (Rachael) Burton; eleven great-grandchildren, and by Don’s sister, Yvonne. Don was preceded in death by his father, Henry Hehr, his mother, Ida Hehr, his sister, Sue Spencer, and his brother, Duane Hehr.

Don’s friends and family agree wholeheartedly with his best friend’s statement, “Don Hehr was a special breed, and they broke the mold when he was born. He was a great son, father, husband, and friend. He will be greatly missed!”

As per Don's request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. A private interment at Leavenworth National Cemetery with military honors will occur at a later date.