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Don Weihe Obituary
Don was a native of St. Louis, Missouri where he graduated from Washington University.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Beverly C. Weihe; sons, Paul and Philip; daughter-in-law, Rebecca and two granddaughters, Emma and Claire.
Don enlisted in 1943 with the U.S. Navy and trained as an aviation cadet. In 1947, he joined the Missouri Air National Guard. Some years later, he was recalled for the Korean War where he returned to active duty as a Captain in the newly formed United States Air Force. Don was employed by Firestone Tire and Rubber for 36 years. After assignments in Los Angeles, Akron and Detroit, he retired as the Managing Director of the Firestone rubber plantations in Liberia, West Africa.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Bath Church, 3980 West Bath Road, Bath, Ohio 44333. A memorial service is scheduled for July 14, 2010, 11 a.m. at the Bath Church chapel. He has been cremated and his remains will be interred at the Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.
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Memories and Condolences
for Don Weihe
6 Entries
Henri Johnson-Moede(daughter of Rudolph K. Johnson Sr.)
August 18, 2025
My entire early childhood was filled with memories of the larger than life Don Weihe. Growing up in Firestone, Liberia, I remember Mr. Weihe speaking at our school closing ceremonies, I remember giving speeches and mentioning his name and accomplishments, I recall him speaking at several community events, and remember his name being mentioned with reverence and admiration throughout Harbel, Firestone.
My last memory of Mr Weihe was from some time at the end of 1991, when we knew that Firestone could no longer survive the impending chaos of the Liberian war unscathed. The company arranged for some of its managerial staff and their families to escape in convoys to Côte d´Ivoire.
At the crack of dawn we were loaded into vans and buses for the long and often onerous trip to the Ivorian boarder. My dad hoisted my mom and I into a van with Mr Weihe, made him promise to watch over us during the trip, and tearfully said goodbye, promising to get on the next convoy out.
It was a scary journey for the prepubescent child that I was, but every time I opened my eyes and saw Mr. Weihe calmly sitting up front with his self-confident smile, I knew we´d be okay.
The last time I saw him was when we crossed into Ivory Coast and he was jokingly cautioning the Ivorian soldiers to not bother us, "his people".
I wish I had run into him again to say thank you. Had I known that would be the last time I saw him, I´d have given him an enormous hug.
Mr. Weihe, thanks for being a part of the most beautiful memories of my childhood......Thanks for teaching me through your work overseas that I can conquer any thing/place my heart and mind desire......most of all, thank you for being our "protector" on that treacherous trip from Harbel, Firestone to Ivory Coast.
RIP, Mr. Don Weihe.
[email protected]
Brian Johnson
April 13, 2011
Hello. My name is Brian Johnson and my dad's name is Mel, who knew Don. Don used to come over to our house when I was a kid. My dad worked for Firestone in Washington, MI. Till this day, there is a picture of Don with my Grandpa Orrin, and friend Howard Wilcox over the gun room in my dad's barn. It was taken on Drummond Island in the U.P.in the Fall. Looks like they were bird hunting, each was holding a fine shotgun and smiling. I remember Don as a real nice man. Do you know he taught me how to sharpen a knife? I hunt, and every time, till this day, that I sharpen a knife, I remember him telling me to hold it 20 degrees one way, then 20 the other as I stroke the stone. My thoughts and prayers are with you. It sure looks like he lived a good life.
Philip Masturzo
June 24, 2010
Dear Paul & Family,
So sorry for the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Best Wishes,
Phil
Mary-Ann Ott
June 23, 2010
Dear Mrs. Weihe and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Mr. Weihe was the best man I ever had the pleasure to work for as a secretary. He had a wonderful sense of humor and will be missed by many.
Mary-Ann Ott
Shelley Maples-Shea
June 21, 2010
Mrs.Weihe, Paul and Philip,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember what a very nice man Mr.Weihe was, when we were neighbors on Walnut Ridge.My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Lisa Baker
June 20, 2010
Paul,
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lisa, Danielle and Alyssa
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