Our beloved father, Donald M. Millbauer, age 90, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. He was born to Gertrude and Matthew Millbauer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was the first of two boys.
Together with his late wife, Noreen, Don led a very active life raising eight children. His interests were eclectic and ranged from scuba diving and water skiing in his younger years, evolving into woodworking, bicycling, and car restoration in his later years. His friends were all aware of the passion he had for his 1960 Triumph TR3 which he completely restored and enjoyed for many years. In the late ‘70s, along with three friends, Don created Act IV Dinner Theater in Richland, Washington where he built sets and acted in several plays. He also played the snare drum and proudly wore his kilt in the Desert Thistle Pipes & Drum Corps.
Both Don and Noreen discovered snow skiing later in life where they enjoyed many family ski trips. He and Noreen owned a sailboat and loved to sail on the Columbia River and later on Puget Sound after retiring in Port Ludlow, Wash. Don and Noreen were very active in Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland, serving many roles from Sausage Fest Chairs, Eucharistic Ministers, greeters and much more. Don was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Richland and was active in St. Olaf’s Catholic Church in Poulsbo, Wash. as well as St. Mary Star of the Sea in Port Townsend, Wash.
Don served his country in the Navy during the Korean War and in retirement he served as a volunteer for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as Vice Captain of Division 4, District 13 in Port Ludlow, Wash. where his leadership and lifelong skills as a ham radio operator were especially appreciated.
Don started a career at Westinghouse in the 1960s as a draftsman but during his 30 years with the company he held a variety of management positions in communications and human resources.
Don is preceded in death by his wife, Noreen (McCarthy) Millbauer and survived by his brother, Gerald Millbauer; his eight children — Mark Millbauer, Don Millbauer (Chona), Jim Millbauer (Kendell), Mary Ann Goebel, Kathy Garrett (Eldon), Meg Briggs (Don), Eileen Tanner-Birrell (Jim) and Max Millbauer; his 20 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
A private family mass will be held in Richland, Wash. at Christ the King Catholic Church on Saturday, March 13 followed by a graveside funeral where friends are welcome at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 1 p.m.
