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Oct 9, 1935 - Apr 28, 2019 Donald Leigh Hirst went to Heaven, departing from Torrance, CA, on April 28 while listening to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, his favorite composer. He was 83. Don was born in Ogden, UT to Charles M. Hirst and Mary V. Kendrick. He became an Eagle Scout, received his B.S. from the U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis) in 1957, and earned his M.S. degree in engineering from the U of Pittsburgh, PA. Don eventually became a full Colonel in the Air Force and served his country for 25 years. Next, he volunteered, first as an assistant and later as the president of the Family History Library on the grounds of the LA Temple in Santa Monica (1983-1987). He started teaching classes on a variety of genealogy topics to empower patrons to be effective detectives in their family history research. At the beginning of each class, Don would find out what specific questions each student had, then he'd cover the topic as well as add some customized content to answer the questions of those students. Don also helped establish the British Isles Family History Society in January 1988. He married his dearly beloved Marylin in 1958. Don and Marylin became the parents of Mike (Mirja), James, Helen, and David, and have three grandchildren, Jennifer, Joseph, and Anna. Don will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and fellow genealogists. Besides his immediate family, he is survived by two brothers Bob (Brigitte) and Jim (Glenda) and their children, and grandchildren. His memorial service is on May 18, 2019 (Saturday) at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 22605 Kent Ave, Torrance, CA 90505.
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2 Entries
Don was a tremendous person, very informative and wonderfully helpful. His advice to join the fhs in the area of one's ancestor was the best I'd ever had. I joined the IOW FHS within a month and the Aberdeen & NE Scotland fhs just a little later. I shall be eternally grateful to him.
Kay Ronald Devonshire
May 18, 2019
My thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there is hope for our loved ones lost in death can be reassuring.
C S
May 12, 2019
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