| Graduation Year | Class of 1966 |
| Date of Passing | Sep 17, 2020 |
| About | Kleinschmidt, Donald L. Age 72, passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. The son of Alvin F. and Dorothy Bird Kleinschmidt, he was born on April 15, 1948 in Ann Arbor, MI. He graduated from Ann Arbor High and joined the United States Navy in October 1967 where he was assigned to the Beach Master Unit Two in Little Creek, VA. Don graduated from the School of Business at Grand Valley State University and married Terri Bull on September 16, 1972. Don was known for his inability to sit still. During his lifetime he started a construction company, published and edited an aviation newspaper, created a brochure business, made and repaired furniture and owned an insurance agency. He obtained his private pilot's license in 1970 and continued flying until 2015. He was also a certified scuba diver. He restored two military jeeps from the ground up and repaired antique clocks. Don volunteered countless hours to coaching youth soccer, Cub Scout camp-outs, Aid in Milan, Milan Christmas parades and Milan Chamber of Commerce. He was President and board member for the EAA Chapter 333, Treasurer for the Silver Lake Association, an ambassador at Detroit Metro Airport as well as a volunteer at the annual Oshkosh Airshow. Don was also responsible for rescuing the photographs of Ann Arbor High/Pioneer Veterans who died in service to their country which he found during a school remodeling. He restored the photos and had them re-framed where they hang today in the front hallway. He had a terrific sense of humor and his love of aviation was legendary. He believed in honor and "doing the right thing" often placing the wellness of others above his own. He will be profoundly missed by his family and friends. Don is survived by his wife Terri and their two sons, Mark of Chicago and Brian of Ann Arbor, his brother Charles (Sally Jo) of Ann Arbor and sister Joanne (Michael Buss) of Dwight, Ontario, Canada. He will be fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews and many cousins. A celebration of his life will be held sometime in June. To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published in Ann Arbor News from May 7 to May 8, 2020. |
