Don Irwin

Celebration of Life for Donald Irwin In the early hours of Tuesday April 16, 2024, Donald Lawrence Irwin passed away at the age of 87. He was born September 1, 1936 to Leone Wells Irwin and Herschel Stephens Irwin, in Plano, Iowa. 

He lived most of his childhood in Iowa, but the family spent time in Wyoming, where Don met, and cared for, Smokey the horse. Don and his friends loved riding their horses across the country side and often took snacks and picnic lunches with them. 

After moving back to Iowa, Don continued his schooling, graduating from Centerville High School, in1954. Don joined the Air Force and spent the majority of his enlistment in Formosa (Taiwan). While there he was a technical advisor to the Taiwan Air Force, helping them to set up and operate their Air Defense System. He loved Taiwan and immersed himself in their culture, learning enough Chinese to engage and converse with with locals. 

After the Air Force Don enrolled at Iowa State University where he earned an Electrical Engineering degree and was fortunate enough to meet Helen Roldson, his future wife of 62 years.

Don enjoyed his work, which involved designing, building, and programming computer systems and computer devices. One of his most memorable projects was working with NASA on the Viking Mission to Mars, that landed successfully on July 20th, 1976. Don enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, fishing, coaching kids soccer, and trips to see the grandparents. One of his great delights was making mounds of cookies, never tasting one until all the batches were baked.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Leone and Herschel Irwin, his sister Shirley, and brother James. He is survived by his wife Helen, sons Robert (Linda), Larry (Angelica), and daughter Brenda; eight grandchildren, Christopher, David (Valentine), Robert Jr., Jessica, Benjamin, Joshua, McKenna, Madison, and three great grandchildren, Harper, Sky, and Sofie