Donald Orth Ph.D.

Donald Orth Ph.D.
AIKEN,SC - Donald Alfred Orth, Ph.D., passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at the age of 93.
Dr. Orth was born October 24, 1923 in San Francisco, CA to the late Richard Louis Orth and the late Helen Wilson Orth Magee. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army's 513th Airborne Signal Co. where he was stationed in Central Europe. For his actions, he received the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WW II Victory Medal.
Dr. Orth received his B.S. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkley. After graduation, he worked at Argonne National Lab, Oak Ridge National Lab before moving to Aiken, SC in 1953. Dr. Orth was an internationally recognized Nuclear Chemist that spent his career with E.I. du Pont and Westinghouse at the Savannah River Plant. Dr. Orth was a Departmental Fellow which was DuPont's highest technical rank. After retiring he worked as a Consulting Scientist for the Atomic Energy Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Department of Energy. Westinghouse created the Donald A. Orth Award for Technical Excellence. The award was created to honor his career achievements and extraordinary contributions to the Nation Defense Initiatives.
Dr. Orth was a member of the Torch Club, a professional discussion group, the American Chemical Society, and former president of the Orchid Society of Aiken / Augusta. Additionally, he was an avid fly fisherman and world traveler. Dr. Orth was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Orth was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Richard Orth and a sister, Dolores Ziedrich.
Dr. Orth is survived by his devoted wife of 64 1/2 years, Jean Orth; two daughters, Claudia Ann Orth, Doraville, GA and Donna Orth Lambert (Joshua), Clifton, VA; three grandchildren, Ariel, Emilie, and Ian Lambert, all of the United Kingdom; and three sisters, Dorothy Vago, Lincolnton, CA, Diane Benedetti, Cupertino, CA, and Dale Geyer, State Line, NV.
Friends may call on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:0 PM at George Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, April 14, 2017 in the sanctuary of St. John's United Methodist Church, Aiken, SC, with the Rev. Nancy Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Southlawn Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Henry's Lake Foundation, PO Box 1389, West Yellowstone, MT 59758 or the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800,. Miami, FL 33131.
The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.
Expressions of sympathy for the Orth family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com