Donald Melvin Lund

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, Don was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to Mable and Melvin Lund on June 27, 1936.

Don grew up in Alliance, Ohio, where he enjoyed amateur astronomy, hunting for fossils, and numerous pets including dogs, lizards, snakes, a possum, a pet skunk (not recommended!), and a wild (pet) crow that, when called, would land on his shoulder.

Talented at drawing, painting, writing, math, and science, Don won numerous awards as a student including “Best Boy Student in Physics” in eighth grade for the state of Ohio.

In 1958, Don graduated from Case Western Reserve University, then married Kathleen Green in 1959. He later married Gladys Price in 1987, who predeceased him in 1999. He married Irene Gould in 2000, who predeceased him in 2020.

During his long career with the United States Defense Department, Navy Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Don worked as a mechanical engineer, traveled often, and made many life-long friends.

In 1969, Don took his immediate family, to witness in amazement, the Apollo 11th liftoff at The Kennedy Space Center. In the 1970s, Don piloted sail planes on weekends, and for decades continued his interest in astronomy with a higher sensitivity telescope he built himself. He also enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, brewing his own varieties of beer, watching football (Go Redskins!), and socializing with neighbors and friends.

At his retirement ceremony from the U.S. government, an Admiral presented him with one of the few esteemed recognitions from the Navy to a civilian for his work directing shock vibration testing on major Navel defense vessels.

Don is survived by his daughter Kathy Hackshaw, son-in-law Dave Hackshaw, daughter Karen Clerici, daughter Kristy Dove, son-in-law Mike Dove, step-daughter Lela Lambert, step-son-in-law Karl Lambert, step-daughter Karen Pramis, step-daughter Tracey Rawle-Gould, step-son Karl Gould, his grandchildren: Margaret Hackshaw, Addie Hackshaw, Luc Clerici, Sarah Dove, Evan Dove, Derek Lambert, Justin Lambert, Megan Murphy, Erica Jeffery, Gregory Pramis, Julie Pramis, and many great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his step-son Gregory Price and step-son Dom Gould.

Always humble, informal, and practical, Don’s wishes were to not hold services. At a later date, his ashes will be scattered at sea.