Donald R. Chamberlain

Donald Robert Chamberlain, age 81, left this world August 9, 2021, surrounded by his loving family following a months-long battle with cancer.

Don was born December 27, 1939, in South Bend, Indiana, to parents Donald and Florence (Boylan).  From an early age he was fascinated with aviation and would go on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1962 and a Master of Science in Engineering Mechanics from Saint Louis University in 1968. While at Purdue, Don learned to fly jets in the Air Force ROTC. During his thirty-eight-year career with McDonnell Douglas Corporation (Boeing), he held numerous positions including Chief Program Engineer for the F/A-18 and retired in 2000 as head of the Boeing Corporation Physical Sciences and Systems division.

While attending Washington High School in South Bend, Don met the love of his life Marilyn (Bunny) Haas.  Bunny was part of the social scene at Washington, while Don the briefcase carrying type. His initial ask of her to prom was met with rejection.  During summer break in college he would go on to win her affection through persistent dates on the tennis court. Don and Bunny were married September 1, 1962, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in South Bend.  Following their reception, they departed for St. Louis, Missouri, in Don’s 1953 Mercury and honeymooned over the Labor Day weekend so he could report to his first day of work September 4.

Don and Bunny moved to their home in Saint Charles, Missouri in 1964 where they raised four children.  Spirited nightly dinners, travel, and sports were a memorable part of family life.  You had to be well-read to keep up with the dinner table conversation. Newspapers, magazines, and books filled the home and Don encouraged all to express their own social, scientific, political, and religious opinions. Family travel included long summer road trips throughout the United States and Canada with kids acting as navigators flipping through AAA TripTiks.  Once while headed to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Don suddenly pulled over and apologetically declared that he had forgotten to pack the tent poles which only led to adventurous nights sleeping under the stars and the occasional family drenching.  Don passed on his love of sports to his children and grandchildren, taking them to countless Cardinal baseball games along with Big Red, Rams, and Purdue football.  He loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s numerous sporting events. Never known to leave a game early he taught all that “it’s never over ‘til it’s over”.

Don’s devotion to faith, family, and community was ever present as he coached his children’s baseball and softball teams, was a Boy Scout Troop 294 adult leader, and served as long-time board member of both the St. Charles Baseball Softball Association and the St. Charles Park Board.  If Saint Cletus Parish had a Mount Rushmore, Don would surely be on it as his fifty plus years of church service included Parish Council member, long time Parish Picnic Chair, Saint Vincent de Paul Society volunteer, Saint Dorothy’s Society volunteer, RCIA minister, Parish School of Religion minister, Men’s Club volunteer, women’s softball team coach, as well as school volunteer in his grandchildren’s class and lunch rooms.  Don and Bunny served together for decades as pre marriage ministers and in 2004 received the Saint Louis Archdiocese Family Life Award.

Proceeded in death by parents Donald and Florence: and Sister Lorraine (Rasipovits).  Don is survived by his loving wife Bunny of fifty-nine years: his children David (Klaus), Greg (Carol), John (Lisa), and Elizabeth: Grandchildren Nicholas, Katherine, Michael, Joseph, and Julia.

Don led a faith filled life of devoted service to others. He poured love into this world and to ALL he met along the way.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Saint Cletus Catholic Church, 2705 Zumbehl Rd, Saint Charles, MO 63301.