Donald Arthur Siekmeier

Donald Arthur Siekmeier, age 80, of Ann Arbor passed away on March 8, 2014 at Arbor Hospice in Ann Arbor surrounded by his family. Don was born on a farm near Forest City, Iowa on August 10, 1933 the son of Arthur B. Siekmeier and Dorthea N. (Nolting) Siekmeier. Don played in the high school band, where he gained a fondness for band music, in particular marches, which lasted his entire life. After high school he attended Iowa State University where he received a degree in Electrical Engineering and also took part in the Air Force R.O.T.C. program. Don stayed closely connected to his alma mater his entire life. Following this, he served in the U.S. Air Force, with assignments as a field engineer in the U.S., Canada and Europe. In 1958 Don came to Ann Arbor to work at the Willow Run Laboratories of the University of Michigan; he also did graduate work at the University of Michigan. While in Ann Arbor, Don met Jessie Elaine Forshee at the First United Methodist Church and they were married there on September 3, 1960. Later he worked at Chrysler Introl Division where he was Supervisor of the Plant Engineering Department. After Chrysler was relocated from Ann Arbor, Don worked at G.T Products which later became Eaton, Inc., and retired in 2004. He subsequently did independent consulting work for NuStep Inc. and other local companies. In the course of his career, Don gained a reputation as a hard worker, and one who was respected by management, peers, and employees alike. Don was an engineer to the core, on and off the job, and always had multiple technical projects underway at home. For example, years before it became a commercial reality he worked on making a hybrid electric car. Some of his other accomplishments were making a control computer for an environmental house, building a recumbent bicycle from scratch, and constructing a methane gas generator. His many projects and dreams were tragically cut short by Alzheimer's disease in 2009. He had been an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor, Boy Scouts, Ann Arbor Ham Radio Club, and the former Science Research Club of the University of Michigan. Don was well-liked and a friend to everyone he met. He was a wonderful family man, loving husband, and the best dad ever. His many nieces and nephews remember him as one who took a sincere interest in their activities, and always had time to listen. Don is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jessie Forshee Siekmeier of Ann Arbor, his two sons James F. Siekmeier PhD (Catherine Tall) of Morgantown, W.V. and Peter J. Siekmeier M.D. (Maria Stalford) of Cambridge, MA., one grandchild Claire E. Siekmeier of Morgantown, W.V., brothers Dr. Allan E. (Arlette) Siekmeier of Woodbury, MN and David A. (Carol) Siekmeier of Georgetown, TX, sister Diane A. (Richard) Johnson of Stillwater, MN, sister-in-law Virginia A. Forshee of Ann Arbor, brother-in-law James H. Forshee of Ann Arbor and several cousins. Don was preceded in death by sister-in-law Dorothy J. (Verne H.) Scott of Boulder, CO on November 12, 2013. Following Don's wishes his brain has been donated to the Michigan Brain Bank-Brain Autopsy Program and his body to the University of Michigan Anatomical Donations Program. Memorial services will be held on April 12, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, 120 South State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM with a memorial service to follow at 12 PM. In memory of Don those wishing may send a contribution to Electrical/Computer Engineering Excellence Fund in care of Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Boulevard, Ames, Iowa 50010. Visit Don's personal webpage at www.Muehligannarbor.com to sign the guestbook and leave the family your thoughts and condolences.Arrangements under the direction of Muehlig Funeral Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI.