Donald Larose Childs

Donald Childs Obituary

Donald Larose Childs

Donald Larose Childs passed away in Holland, MI on Thursday, October 22, 2020, 25 days before his 100th birthday.

Don was born and raised in Lansing, MI where he graduated from Central High School. A gifted machinist from an early age, he served in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist's Mate in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, he married Nina, and they were together for 69 years until Nina's death in 2018. Don was the Supervisor of the Engineering Research Machine Shop in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University before retiring with Nina to Indian River, MI. They moved to Freedom Village, a retirement community in Holland, MI, in 2015.

In Don's younger days, he raced boats and won awards as a roller-skater. A lifetime member of the Lansing Boat Club, Don built a steamboat that was featured in the Lansing State Journal. While working at MSU, Don played a critical role in the early days of Project 1225, the restoration to operation of a full-sized steam locomotive formerly on display at the University. Along with son Tim, Don enjoyed building and running live steam 1/8th scale trains. While living in Indian River, Don & Nina were active members of the Indian River Snowmobiling Club. In Holland, Don could be seen on his scooter making jaunts to the Holland Farmers' Market or on the walkway by Lake Macatawa.

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Don is survived by children Tim & Phylis Childs, Keval Kaur Khalsa & Jim Pettibone, Jeanne Childs & Dave Thomas; and grandchildren Tim II & Kristin Childs, Erica Childs, Lucas Campbell, and Stacy & Josh Lamb.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Steam Railroading Institute: https://michigansteamtrain.charityproud.org/Donate or the Mid-Michigan Railroad Club, c/o 7614 Nolan Drive, Eaton Rapids, MI. 48827.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Childs

2 Entries

Thomas Paul Timlin

April 29, 2021

I will always remember Don and his wife Nina as the parents of one of my best friends, Tim, from my schools days. Don had a wonderful sense of humor, always seemed to have a smile on his face, and I was fortunate enough to take rides on his home built Steamboat, the Juno, [and his other boat] on the Grand River and up in Indian River. As neighborhood parents and members of the Lansing community, Don and Nina Childs were stellar examples for all. They are living in my permanent memory fondly, and frankly, are at the top of that list in that category. I will miss them terribly even though as the years have gone by I did not see them as often. They have a permanent place in my heart.

Chuck Julian

November 24, 2020

Don was a great instructor and inspiration when it came to teaching me to become a machinist. When working on parts for the 1225 in the Engineering Machine Shop, Don was not supposed to spend University time working on the engine, but got permission for students to come in to work on parts and use machine tools to do the work. In actuality, Don spent a lot of time setting up lathes, and other machines then having us run them after having taught us how to do that. There were times when I made mistakes that required redoing what we started, but Don never lost his temper or criticized me or others. We just either fixed the mistake or started over. I found that his approach made me really want to please him and try harder. Don was well respected on campus and was willing to call in favors from others when we needed them. He got Charlie Sigafoose to allow us to use an annealing oven in the Engineering building, to anneal air compressor piston rods. He got someone at the Cycletron to loan us a magnetic drill press, when needed to drill a hole in a drawbar pin that refused to come out. He loaned us 100 ton hydraulic jacks and air tools. The project could not have succeeded without him.

Don was fun to talk to. As a lifelong Lansing resident, he would point out where things like the dairy in E. Lansing used to be. He talked about the interurban that ran up Grand River Avenue and the old power plant and foundry that used to exist on campus where the Administration building now sets.

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