LT. COL. DONALD W. WESTON, RETIRED

WINTERPORT – Donald W. Weston, 91, passed away July 21, 2009, at home with his family by his side. Don was born May 2, 1918, in Madison, to Wallace and Nettie (Williams) Weston. He was raised on the family dairy farm and attended schools in Madison. He graduated in 1941 from the University of Maine with a degree in mechanical engineering. Immediately after graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. On Jan. 12, 1942, he married Theodora Wright of Springfield, Vt. Two days later Don shipped out and ended up spending 46 months in the South Pacific during World War II. After the war, Don continued to serve his country in the Army Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1964. In 1946, Don and Teddy moved to Caribou, where he went to work for Birdseye-Snider Company as plant manager. Four years later he became the chief engineer at Loring Air Force Base, Limestone. In 1957, they moved to Winterport, when Don accepted a position as deputy base engineer at Dow Air Force Base, Bangor. He semi-retired after the base closed down in 1968, however he soon ran out of projects to do around the house. In 1971, Don Weston started up the environmental technology program at EMVTI in Bangor. He retired for good in 1979. Scouting was always an important part of his life. He was in scouts as a boy, his father being the scoutmaster. Don was scoutmaster for Troop 181 in Caribou for several years and was on the troop committee for Troop 234 in Winterport. He was very proud of his four children who all went through the scouting program, including three eagle scouts. He continued to serve on Katahdin Area Council Executive Board up to his passing. In 1990, he was presented with the Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition of the Boy Scouts of America. Don was a registered professional engineer and a licensed land surveyor. He was a life member and past president of Maine Association of Engineers, past state president and national director of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He was awarded Life-Time Achievement Award by Maine Wastewater Control Board. Governor Brennan appointed him to the State Licensing Board for establishing standards for water and sanitary plant operators. Don and Teddy were always active in the community where they lived. Don served on the planning boards of both Caribou and Winterport. He was a trustee on the Winterport Water and Sewer Districts, serving as chairman for 15 years. Don was also active in the Winterport Historical Society and Winterport Union Meeting House Association. He acted as moderator at town meetings for several years and served on the Winterport Conservation Committee. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor. After their retirement in 1979, Don and Teddy traveled extensively in their RV, making many trips all over the country and to Alaska. They also toured in Europe, Canada and Australia. Don enjoyed many hobbies including woodworking, collecting and reading books, rocks and minerals, making maple syrup, maintaining his orchard, gardening, hunting, fishing, and spending time at their camp in Ellsworth. Don was a member in good standing of the Wilderness Mountain Hunting Club. He loved the outdoors, as he loved all aspects of life. Don is survived by Teddy, his wife of 67 years; his brother, William Weston of Rumford; son, John and his wife, Teri Weston, of Glens Falls, N.Y.; daughter, Anne and husband, Clint Worthley, of Hampden; son, Stephen and his companion, Terrilyn Simpson, of Winthrop; son, Peter and his wife, Judy Weston, of Scarborough; and several nieces and nephews. His grandson, Joel Weston of Colorado will miss Grampy very much. His parents; and his brothers, Wallace and Robert predeceased Don. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 23 at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a service of remembrance and gratitude for Don’s life will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 24, with the Rev. Becky Gunn, Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Winterport. Because of Don’s lifelong association with the Boy Scouts, the family suggests contributions be made in his memory to Boy Scouts of America, Katahdin Area Council, P.O. Box 1869, Bangor, ME 04402. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.