Donald Rowland Luster

Donald Rowland Luster, 73, of Tolland, husband of Gloria (Alexandris) Luster passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, surrounded by his family.

Born in Elizabeth, N.J., he was the son of the late Vincent and Mabel (Klein) Luster. After being discharged from the Army, serving in the U.S. Biological Labs at Fort Detrick, Md., he left to get his bachelor's degree in biology from Johns Hopkins University. Donald subsequently received his master's degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. He worked as a health physicist at United Nuclear Corp. in Montville and most recently at The Catholic University of America in University Heights, Washington, D.C. Donald found great joy in traveling throughout the United States and witnessing God's beauty in our national parks.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Jennifer Dearborn, and her husband, Jeffrey, of Windsor Locks, Lorelea Smith of Wilder, Vt., Jeannine Childree, and her husband, Peter, of Tolland, and Randall Luster of Lebanon; and six grandchildren.

Relatives and friends may join the family on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, 76 Prospect St., Rockville. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 154 Orchard St., Ellington. Burial will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donald's memory to the Masonicare Partners, 111 Founders Plaza, Suite 200, East Hartford CT 06108.

For online condolences please visit

www.pietrasfuneralhome.com