Donald Balish

Lt Col Donald G. Balish, USAF (Ret), 79, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, passed away at home on April 9, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maureen McAndrew Balish. Donald was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and a trusted friend. Born on February 22, 1935, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Donald graduated from the Scranton Preparatory School in 1952 and attended the University of Scranton. He obtained his B.S.E.E. from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1963, where he was inducted into the engineering honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu. He was awarded his M.S.E.E. from Stanford University in 1967. Donald entered the U.S. Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in 1955, was commissioned as a 2d Lt in 1956 and retired as a Lt Col after 23 years of service. His military career included time as a navigator/bombardier with the Strategic Air Command at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas, a position as Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and time served with Special Ops in Vietnam. Among other distinctions received, Donald was a rated Master Navigator and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters) and the Air Force Commendation Medal. His civilian career followed as a senior engineer with Lockheed Martin for 18 years. He served as a faculty member at the University of Denver teaching graduate studies. Donald also served as a chairman of the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Air Force Association, the Retired Officers Association, the 310th Bomb Wing Veterans Historical Association, the AC-119 Gunship Association and the Knights of Columbus. Also surviving are five children, daughter Elaine of Kenai, Alaska; son Robert (wife Judy) of Sandia Park, New Mexico; son Donald (wife Nadia) of Lancaster, California; son Kenneth (wife Amy) of Fremont, California; son Christopher of Arlington, Virginia; four grandchildren, Cody Balish, Taylor Balish, 2d Lt Margarita Balish, USAF, and Tiffany Yoshioka Caughey; one brother, Col Warren N. Balish, U.S. Army (Ret), (wife Marilyn) of Reston, Virginia; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Krul Balish, and by his brother George Balish. Donald will be greatly missed by all. Please share your memories of Donald and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.