Donn Fendler

I knew the Fendler Family when I was the bratty kid down the street at Ft. Leavenworth. LTC Fendler always insisted that I call him "General Fendler". Judy would babysit for me quite often and was a wonderful human being, she also taught me how to ride a bicycle. Many years later I was stationed in Maine at the now closed Loring A.F.B. and always remembered the Fendler family with very fond memories as I drove north past Baxter State Park. Rest in Peace General Fendler.

Donn Fendler was a big inspiration in my life since I first read Lost on a Mountain in Maine in about 1956. I read it many, many times after that, read it to my children and to many of my students over a long teaching career. I wrote a song about Donn; it took me 10 years to write it, and then 5 more to completely re-write it. I often say, "Donn Fendler is the most famous person in Maine ever." I was thrilled to meet Donn a few years ago; he was a wonderful man, and he had an...

To the family of Donn Fendler, I never knew him in person or have visited the site of his happenings during 1939. But I have read his book about those doings and one who reads his story can't help to honor his spirit and strength in a difficult situation.

As a Maine teacher, I have read "Lost on a Mountain in Maine" to my students every year for the past 38 years. I have meet Donn twice. His courageous story is worth telling. You will be missed, but your story lives on. It was an honor to have meet you and talked with you. Thank you for sharing your story.

Dear Fendler family,
I am sorry for your loss. I hope that you are ok. I am a big fan of Donn Fendler's book Lost On a Mountain in Maine. I bet millions of people are. All I know is that I love that book. I've read it 5 times or more.

Sincerely,
Ryleigh

I was a year and a half older than Donn, growing up in Falmouth Maine, so well remember the headlines, which gradually decreased as it became apparent he must have died. Then the miracle of his survival crowded Hitler and the coming war off the front pages. In hiking many of the signed trails in Baxter State Park I've been awed by thinking of the difficulty of his ordeal. For one thing, in nine July days without Deet I would have died. I'm lucky to have had the privilege of meeting...

Donn was an incredible man who inspired generations of Maine children and teachers with his story and his wonderful talks. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us all. He will be missed greatly.

Tribute Site
www.donnfendler.com