Donald Paul Weiher

WEIHER Donald Paul Donald Paul Weiher, age 82, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at the Toledo Hospital. Don was born in Toledo and graduated from Macomber High School. In January, 1945, he enlisted in the US Navy and spent the next two years in the occupation forces of Japan. Following honorable discharge, Don worked at AP Parts while he attended the University of Toledo. He then transferred to Western Michigan University primarily because of their excellent reputation in baseball. While there, Don captained the freshman baseball team. In 1949, Don decided to give professional baseball a try. He went to spring training with the Toledo Mud Hens and later the Philadelphia Phillies with whom he signed a contract to play "AA" ball. He then decided that the future was better in engineering than in pro ball so he decided to become a professional engineer and went to work at Willys-Overland. Don then met the love of his life, Rita Ray, whom he married on June 13, 1953. At Willys, Don then transferred to design where he excelled and became their top designer for seven years. He then transferred to the Body Engineering Division where he was promoted to project engineer. In this position, among much other responsibility, he organized shows for Kaiser-Jeep in various countries. Don was a natural creative designer and innovator. He created and/or managed most of the new vehicle models and programs for AM General Corp. including the basic design of the Hummer. He had many patents for designs and mechanisms in the name of AM General. Don truly loved his job and the opportunity to exhibit his talents because of the freedom he was given by management to create, innovate and direct total programs. Don was very devoted to Willys-Overland and its derivative, AM General and devoted the entire 42 1/2 years of his engineering life to and with them. A very gifted athlete, Don became highly proficient at whatever sport he decided to pursue, especially baseball, and golf. He was a 30 year member of Heatherdowns Country Club where he taught his son and grandsons how to love the game of golf and where he was also a very competitive tournament player. He was also an avid gardener. Don attended many of his grandchildren's games. His wish was to live long enough to see his grandchildren and their children become worthwhile parents and members of society. He always advocated that they find something that they really liked to do because they would do it the rest of their lives-money was a secondary goal- "I don't care what you do as long as you're happy doing it" was his motto. Don also loved to tell "true" stories. Don was entirely devoted to his family-wife, Rita; son, Don Weiher (Mary); daughters, Kathy Keil and Lori Brock (Jack); grandchildren, Anthony Brock (Andrea), Matthew Brock, Don Weiher Jr., Michael Weiher, Kendall Keil and Krista Keil; and great-grandchildren which he adored, Allison and Ayden Brock. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave., where a Scripture service will be held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will begin with prayers at the funeral home on Monday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4100 Harvest Blvd. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Those wishing to give a memorial tribute are asked to consider the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, 3100 W. Central Ave. Ste. 250, Toledo, OH 43606 or the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2600 Network Blvd. #300, Frisco, TX 75034. Online guest book is available at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com