Donald H. Walch

Age 88, of Roseville; passed away on October 2, 2021.​Preceded in death by parents, Harvey & Cecelia.​Survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Pat; sons, Mark (Carolyn), Dan (Kristin) and James; grandchildren, Brittany (Cory), Kaitlin, Elsa, Jameson, and Ian; great grandchildren, Zachary and Elin; brother, Richard (Linda); nieces, nephews and many friends. ​Reflection of Don’s Life (As Written by Don Himself)"Born on October 23, 1932 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Growing up, lived in Wisconsin towns of Edgar, Viola, and Necedah, then Dover, Minnesota and finally Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Graduated from Eau Claire Memorial High School in 1951. Joined the U.S. Navy in March 1952, following basic training. Attended 44 weeks of electronics training in Maryland. Upon graduation, was assigned to the USS Navy Currituck AV-7 a Sea Plane Tender. In 1954, transferred to the Aircraft Carrier USS Ticonderoga CVA-14 as an electronics technician. Was placed in charge of monitoring a newly designed target navigation system. Upon discharge in 1956, enrolled at Wisconsin State College in Eau Claire for pre-Engineering curriculum. Married Patricia Johnston in 1956 and later transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and enrolled in Electrical Engineering. Graduated in August of 1960 with a B.S.E.E. Degree. Employed initially at General Motors' small motors facility in Dayton, Ohio. Fourteen months later, transferred to Honeywell Aerospace division in Minneapolis, MN. Served there for 32 years, retiring as director of Engineering of the Test Systems and Logistics Department in 1992. (Note of Interest: Don’s team worked on the control panel for the Lunar Module used by Apollo 11. Find out more here.)" "Don and his wife Pat joined as members of North Heights Lutheran Church in 1974 and became active members for many years, continuing as attendees until recently. As our three sons (Mark, Dan and James) were growing up we enjoyed watching them develop in their choices of athletics and development in their educational pursuits." "We had a pop-up trailer camper that we used on vacations in Wisconsin and throughout the western US. We also had two different lake homes in Wisconsin where we fished and swam. We also traveled in the west to many National and State Parks, as well as Montana, where we visited with my brother, Dick (Linda) and his family in Anaconda, and later Missoula…..camping and fishing as well as later in life with our grandsons, Jameson and Ian, and granddaughters, Britt and Kaitlin. And then our great-grandson, Zachary, and great-granddaughter, Elin." ​"Donations may be directed to Samaritan's Purse."           - Don​Memorial service at 2:00 PM Friday, October 8 at NORTH HEIGHTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2701 N. Rice St., Roseville. Visitation at the church from 1-2 PM Friday. The service will be livestreamed at northheights.church/watch-live. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery