Don was born to Donald & Olga Lutz, November 7, 1943, in Easton, PA. His father, a merchant marine, was away a great deal, and thus, Don was deemed the skipper of the house to look out for this younger siblings and mother. From then on, he was known as Skip. Don served four years in the Navy, traveling on a Wasp naval ship, and proudly recited his naval number upon command.
Always a sports enthusiast, Don played several sports in his youth and was approached by New York Giants to try out as a wide receiver upon returning from the Navy. While he didn’t make the team, he did excel in bowling and spent a season on the Junior PBA tour. His professional work career shifted him to Des Moines, IA, in 1980, where he would begin a career in the bowling industry. Don and his partners developed Glow in the Dark Lanes through Perry-Austen in 1990, later converted to the popular Cosmic Bowling concept by Brunswick in 1994. He would later work in real estate alongside his wife for First Realty in West Des Moines, rounding out some free time in his retirement by driving a parts truck for Service Legends. While a bit overqualified for this role, it was a true pleasure for him, paying for his numerous stops to Half Price Books and his Friday night outings with his best buds at Pal Joey’s. Don was a lover of the Iowa Hawks, the game of golf, travel to Puerto Vallarta, and his beloved border collie Skylar.
He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Al Carhart, and his father. Don is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patricia, his daughters Erica (John) Bobst of Coralville, IA and Laura Love of Johnston, IA, grandchildren Riley, Carson, & Campbell Love and Lauren & Will Bobst, his brother David (Sandra) Lutz of Rensselaer, NY, and sister, Gail Farley of Nassau, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are certainly welcomed to Taylor House Hospice and JDRF. Don had a love for books and would encourage you to pick up a good read. We ask that you do that as well.
Don’s family will receive friends Thursday, April 22 from 6-8 pm at McLaren's Resthaven. Private graveside services will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Please consider joining the family at Pal Joey's on Friday afternoon at 3 pm to celebrate Don in the place he loved best.
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