Donald Eugene Dahlberg

Donald Dahlberg , age 85, of Jupiter, died February 25, 2014. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, LaRue, a wonderfully talented daughter, Susan (Bill Brocker) of Jupiter, FL; two brothers, Richard (Carol) and Roger (Linda), a brother-in-law Dr. Ronald (Peggie) Hillegass, nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his son, Donald David. Mr. Dahlberg was born in Cadillac, MI on August 27, 1928, the son of Martin and Minnie Dahlberg, and grew up in and near Chicago, IL, primarily in the village of Northbrook. He attended Northbrook High School and received degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University (Bachelor-1951) and Pennsylvania State University (Master-1955). While at Penn State he met his wonderful wife-to-be, LaRue, from Johnstown, PA. He attended the Naval Officer Training School in Newport, RI and was commissioned an Ensign in 1955. During the next three and one –half years he attended various Navy Schools and served aboard the USS Renshaw (DDE 499) which was homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI. His duties included navigation and supervision of electronic equipment maintenance and radar tracking. During the last year and one-half of active duty he was assigned to the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, OH and conducted research on cryogenic seals for use in rocket engines. During this time he was promoted to full Lieutenant. After release from active duty in 1960, he joined Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach, FL. There he served as Project Engineer for various company and government sponsored research programs including the first work on very high pressure rocket engines, high performance small gas turbine engines, and other advanced rocket and airbreathing engine programs. He retired in 1991. Don developed an early interest in music through the guidance of his father who was a music educator and church organist. After starting briefly on violin, he learned to play a variety of brass instruments. For a number of years he played trombone in the half-time band performances at the All-Star football games held in Chicago. He also played trombone in the Palm Beach Symphonic Band. Barbershop style singing provided another musical outlet, both chorus and quartet. A highlight was singing in the West Palm Chapter of SPEBSQSA that placed third in 1966 International Competition in Chicago. Mr. Dahlberg also had an interest in sports including football and basketball in high school and in later years golf. A memorial service will be held at Firsts Presbyterian Church of North Palm Beach on Monday, March 03, 2014 at 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Community Foundation, 700 South Dixie Highway, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33401-9952, for the Don Dahlberg Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Donald Eugene Dahlberg

August 27, 1928 - February 25, 2014