Don Messner

Don E. Messner

Don E. Messner, 80, Nashwauk, went on “Eternal Patrol,” (a Submariner’s saying) on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, after battling cancer 7 times since 2008. Chemotherapy killed the cancer cells, but the side effects destroyed his immune system making him vulnerable to many infectious situations—truly a catch 22. Throughout his battle with cancer, his amazing wife, Janet, assumed the role of care giver, which she exercised with utmost care and dedication. During this time frame, Don kept a positive outlook until the very end, when he could no longer see daylight at the end of the tunnel.

Don Messner was born May 6, 1934, at Rood Hospital in Hibbing, a first generation American born to parents of Norwegian and German heritage. He attended elementary school at Hibbing’s Alice School and graduated from Hibbing High School in 1952, where he was an honor student who lettered in football. Don went on to graduate from Hibbing Junior College in 1958, with his AAS degree and again he lettered in football. He continued his education at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, graduating in 1961, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He completed his education at University of Southern California, Los Angeles in 1985, where he earned a Master’s Degree in System Management.

Don served in the US Navy from 1953—1957, where he achieved the rank of Electronics Technician 1 ^st Class, qualified in Submarines. His boot camp shipmates chose him as honor man of Company 97 at Great Lakes Training Center. Don played bugle in the Great Lakes Drum and Bugle Corps, graduated from Navy Electronics Technician “A” School at Treasure Island, CA in 1954 and from basic Submarine school in New London, CT in 1954. He served aboard the submarine USS Diodon SS-349 for 3 years, home ported out of San Diego, CA. He made a Western Pacific tour in 56-57, with ports of call in Japan, China, Philippines, and Australia as well as a Cold War covert mission in the Pacific. During this tour, his submarine set a record of 42 days underwater with aid of a snorkel. Don was extremely proud of being a Submarine Sailor Veteran.

Don’s work history includes working for Motorola in Scottsdale, AZ as a design engineer responsible for “phase lock loop” satellite tracking receivers for NASA’s project Apollo (man to the moon) and he also tested Motorola’s first analog integrated circuit.

He worked for Applied Technology Division of Litton Industries in Sunnyvale, CA as department manager of microwave/antenna lab where he developed critical portions of the company’s microwave radar warning receivers which were installed in Navy and Air Force tactical fighters such as the F-4 and F-16. These systems were a pilot’s life saving line as they warned him that he was on “unfriendly” radar. Don also served as a program manager at Litton where he oversaw co-production efforts in Bergen, Norway for radar warning receivers installed in NATO’s. This assignment was the culmination of his work at Litton as he realized he had the full faith and confidence of upper management.

Don worked for Argosystems, a subsidiary of Boeing Aircraft, in Sunnyvale as a senior program manager, where he managed several multi-million dollar programs for electronic countermeasure systems installed on Navy destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines, and auxiliary ships. He was extremely successful in these programs as he earned the trust of the customer as well as his own management. A bonus to these programs was that over half of his technical staff were Navy veterans that wore the Dolphins (qualified on Submarines).

In retirement, Don served on the technical staff at Hibbing Community College, where he supported lecture and lab aspects of Electronic Technician and Micro Computer programs. He became credentialed and licensed to teach various courses in support areas such as mathematics, technical communication, and computer programming. Don found his time at HCC to be one of the finest and rewarding of his career.

Don wintered in Texas with Jan and Marcy, eating Jan’s “experimental” cooking. He enjoyed home projects and making life easier and fulfilling for Jan. He studied the history of WWII with focus on submarine force and authored articles (6 bylines) that were published in “The Submarine Review.”

In his youth, Don was involved with Boy Scouts, where he served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 17, Hibbing. His one regret was that he never completed requirements for Eagle Scout. He was also involved with DeMolay and was awarded The Order of Chevalier, Northstar Chapter, Hibbing, MN. As an adult, Don was a member of American Legion Post 307, Nashwauk; VFW Post 1221, Hibbing; US Submarine Veterans, Western Lake Superior Base, Duluth; Naval Submarine League, Washington, DC; Masonic Lodge 331, Nashwauk; Hibbing Historical Society; and was an amateur radio operator (HAM), KØMES. He was also a member of Nashwauk Lutheran Church.

Don is survived by his wife, Janet K. Messner, of Nashwauk; a daughter, Jenni L. Messner of Visalia, CA; a son, Dr. Eric J. Messner of Sunnyvale, CA; a step-daughter, Taneen Pacini, of Grand Rapids; 4 grandchildren: Cody L. Presley, Andrew J. Messner, Elisabeth A. Messner, and Michael E. Messner, all of Sunnyvale, CA; and a niece, Mary Foley of Plano, TX. Don was preceded in death by his father, Ernest J. Messner, in 1987; by his mother, Ingrid Gunderson Messner, in 1979; by a sister, Judy Messner Walker, in 2005, and by a nephew, Jeffery H. Walker, in 1979.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Nashwauk Lutheran Church from 10 AM until the 11 AM funeral service. Interment with full military honors accorded by Mid-Range Honor Guard will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing. Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com .