Donald Allen Widen
August 28, 1938 - November 04, 2006
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Donald Allen Widen
August 28, 1938 - November 04, 2006
Obituary
Donald A. Widen, Col Ret. USAF
A Beloved husband, Loving Father and Loyal Friend.
Don was born on Aug 28, 1938 in Bowling Green, OH, and died peacefully on Sat., Nov 4, 2006.
He graduated from Bowling Green State University, was commissioned in the Air Force as a second lieutenant, and attended MIT, where he earned two Masters Degrees, one in Meteorology and one Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Don served in the Air Force for 23 years beginning as a Staff Meteorologist and retiring as a Colonel after serving on the Inspector General’s team in 1983. He served at Andrews Air Force Base, Space & Missile Systems in El Segundo, CA, Hanscom Air Force Base, as well as Incirlik, Turkey and Vietnam. He was a Vietnam Veteran who received numerous medals and commendations including Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal. After Don retired from the Air Force, he joined Hughes Aircraft Company as a Project Manager and Business Manager from 1983 to 1999.
Don was a kind, strong, smart, humble man. He was dearly loved by many and will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.
He is survived by his cherished wife of 43 years, Marilyn; beloved son, Michael; loving daughter, Kim; lovely daughter-in-law, Andrea; adorable grandchildren, Bethany and Spencer Widen of Mission Viejo, CA; beloved sisters, Sharon Kay Long of South Carolina and Patricia Ann Shaw of Ohio; beloved sisters-in-law, Connie Bass and Beverly Welsh of MA; beloved brothers-in-law, Carl Shaw, Robert Bass, and David Welsh, and many devoted nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November. 9, 2006 ~ 10:00 A.M. at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 26001 Muirlands Blvd., Mission Viejo, CA with an interment at Pacific View Memorial Park in the Veteran’s section, in Corona Del Mar, CA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Don’s memory may be made to CHOC Foundation for Children at 455 S. Main St., Orange, CA 92868-3874 714 997-3000.
2 responses to Donald Allen Widen
Bob Raisola says:
November 8, 2006
Marilyn and family,It is with my sincerest sympathy that I pass on my condolences on Don’s passing. Working with Don I can attest every attribute in Don’s testimony is as true as can be. He was a wonderful individual and great co-worker. I particularly recall his kindness & generosity obtaining complementary passes thru his children to Disneyland Park for my family. I pray his last days were shared with those he loved and peaceful to the end. As requested, a contribution will be made in his honor to CHOC Foundation for Children.
Ken Ruggerone says:
November 8, 2006
Marilyn and family. Please accept my sincere condolences on Don’s passing. Working with Don was a pleasurable experience. Don was always helpful and generous in sharing his many years of work experience and knowledge. As requested, a contrbution will be made in his honor to CHOC Foundation for Children