Mellen, David L. age 87 of Plymouth, passed away quietly at Our Lady of Peace Hospice on August 2, 2013. He was born in Omaha, NE on August 15, 1925 and graduated from Iowa State University under the V-12 program in 1946 with a BS and MS in Aeronautical Engineering and commissioned the rank of an Ensign in the US Navy. David enjoyed a long career at Honeywell as an Aerospace Engineer. HIs work contributed to the development of the space program. He was past national president of the AIAA professional aerospace organization. After retiring, David initiated an coordinated the Science in Education program at Wayzata High School, which introduces high school students to a career in engineering. He was a long time member of Wayzata Community Church and was a Shriner. David is preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Doris Ann (Danny). He is survived by his wife, Shirley; his children, Katy Beste, David Mellen, Kent (Catherine) Mellen; his step-children, Mike (Bev) Wirtz, Tim Wirtz, Lisa (Jack) Holstrom; and his grandchildren, Peter, Molly, Lindsey Beste, Gabriela Mellen; Philippe, Alek, Konrad Mellen; Kelsey, and Garrett Holstrom. Visitation on Sunday, August 11 from 4-7 PM at David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 E Wayzata Blvd in Wayzata. Funeral service Monday, August 12 at 2 PM at Wayzata Community Church, 125 E Wayzata Blvd in Wayzata. Private interment at Groveland Cemetery, Minnetonka. Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Peace Hospice, 2076 St Anthony Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 or Wayzata Community Church. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577 www.davidleefunerlahome.com
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
