Donald Raith

DONALD J. RAITH, the beloved husband of the late Mildred G. Raith nee Johns, passed away November 14th, 2010. Don N8DJG was the dear father of Kenneth Raith of California and Joyce Fuller of Tennessee. He was the dear step father of Barbara Stalnaker, and a loving grandfather and great grandfather. He was also the brother of Clare Bova Phil, Richard L. Raith Jackie and the late Grace Eickoff and Rosemary Gannon. Also survived by several loving nieces and nephews. Don graduated from Shaker Heights High School. Following high school, he attended an Air Frame and Engine Mechanic school and received a federal license for both. He then worked for NASA as an Aerospace Mechanic. When the war broke out he joined the Navy Reserve and went to Helena, Arkansas where he maintained aircraft at the Navy Flight Training Center. He was then transferred to the Army Air Corps and was sent to Texas to a P-47 Squadron. After the war, he transferred to Austria to disassemble the aircraft. When he returned home from the war he returned to NASA. On October 31, 1969, Don was one of fifteen men that received recognition for a team effort in responding promptly and efficiently when the NASA TF-8A Crusader crashed at Hopkins airport in July, 1969. Their citations read in part: "Despite the emergency hazards, their team work was responsible for saving the pilot's life without regard to their personal safety." Within minutes after the July 14 crash incident, the rescue squads from both Hopkins and Lewis arrived at the runway scene, extinguished the blaze, and cut the research pilot from the wreckage. Don retired in June 1974 with 30 years of NASA service. At his retirement, Don was serving in the Flight Operations Services Branch, Test Installation Division. He was the foreman responsible for overseeing the maintenance of all Lewis aircraft. During his retirement years he and his wife Millie enjoyed gardening and canning. They also traveled the country from east to west taking thousands of photos along the way. Don has been a member of L.E.A.R.A. for over 30 years. He was also a Volunteer firefighter for the City of Beachwood and was an active member of the Church of St. Dominic for over 50 years where he served as an usher. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to Church of St. Dominic, 3450 Norwood Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120 or a charity of choice. Funeral Mass will be held at Church of St. Dominic on Friday, November 19 at 11 AM. Interment Highland Park Cemetery.


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