Donald C. Cheney

1920 - 2010

Donald C. Cheney, 90, died on Nov. 11, 2010 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Don was born on Aug. 1, 1920 in Seattle, Wash., and grew up in Oakland, Calif., the oldest of four children.

His family knew him to be an independent and industrious young man. He attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942, hoping to become a pilot. His dream fulfilled, he flew B-17s from England over Germany in WWII. After the war he married Barbara B. Farringer in Oakland, Calif., on Oct. 19, 1945. He took graduate courses in meteorology at UCLA and continued his career in the U.S. Air Force as a meteorologist, including forecasting weather during the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49.

Don and Barbara were active in sailing and bowling competitions at that time, frequently winning trophies. Don became a command pilot before retiring with the rank of Major in 1965. His Air Force career included seven years in Germany, Japan and the Philippines. Don had a second career as a computer systems analyst with IBM, utilizing his Air Force flying and meteorological experience.

During most of Don's IBM career Don and Barbara lived in Thousand Oaks where Don was active in Redeemer Lutheran Church and The Gideons International. He retired from IBM in 1987, and in 1995 Don and Barbara moved to Somerset House in Victoria, British Columbia. They also lived part of each year in Lynden, Wash. In 2008 Don and Barbara moved to West Lebanon, N.H., to be closer to one of their daughters. They achieved a major milestone when they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. Don took great pleasure in traveling worldwide all of his life. He was always ready to go somewhere.

He also loved classical and sacred music, especially organ music and hymn singing in church. Other frequent pursuits included reading a wide variety of non-fiction, playing golf and trying new projects such as building a greenhouse and successfully growing orchids.

Don will be greatly missed by those who loved him and will remain in our hearts forever. Survivors include Don's wife, Barbara; a son and four daughters: Donald Cheney Jr. and his wife, Suzanne, of Auburn, Wash.; Diane Cheney of Fremont, Calif.; Cynthia and her husband, Rev. James Rogers, of Porterville, Calif.; Adele and her husband, Neil Fulton, of Norwich, Vt.; and Evelyn Hess of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 14 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and his brother, Melvin Cheney of Yountville, CA, and extended family. He was predeceased by a brother, Maynard Cheney, and a sister, Bernette (Cheney) Starkey.

Don was buried with military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash., on Nov. 17, 2010. A memorial service will be held in early 2011 in Victoria, British Columbia. Donations may be made to The Gideons International in Donald C. Cheney's memory.