Donald Rodger Totten

Donald Rodger Totten

Donald Rodger Totten, 84 passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 4, 2010. He was truly an extraordinary man who loved God, his family and his country.

Don was born March 16, 1926 on a farm near Webster City, Iowa. The son of Oliver Clinton and Attie Jane Totten, he was the youngest of seven children. The Great Depression cost his parents their farm and the family moved to Clinton, Iowa in search of new opportunities. There Don eventually met the love of his life, JoAnn Sheridan during an evening church service. The two were married on September 7, 1947 and enjoyed a wonderful 63 years together that included three children, four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In High School, Don excelled in academics and sports taking college level courses in physics and calculus while also serving as varsity quarterback. He was the first member of his family to ever attend college earning a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from Iowa State University and a Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California.

At age 18, during the height of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet where he learned to fly and began a lifetime of service to his country. At war's end, he completed his studies and then together with JoAnn moved to California to begin a new adventure.

Over the next 30 years Don pursued a remarkable career as an aeronautical engineer with the Department of Defense that took him to duty assignments at Naval Weapons Centers in Corona, Pearl Harbor, China Lake, Arlington, Virginia, and ultimately the Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu.

Don lived life to the fullest enjoying everything from baseball to motorcycle racing and genealogy. He was a true renaissance man; a gifted tenor who regularly sang in his church choir and chorale groups, an author who wrote extensively on issues of faith, freedom and America and a craftsman who could fix anything.

Above all, Don loved the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. And so we are strengthened and comforted in the assurance that he is in heaven.

Don is survived by his wife JoAnn, children Judy, Greg (Irene), Pam Beckwith (Dave), grandchildren Cheri Carey (Todd), Dominick Ronchetti (Becky), Andrea Ronchetti and Claire Totten, six great grandchildren, sister Marie Blevins, sisters-in-law Marilyn Harris, Maxine and Naomi Totten, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Datlow, Bill and Marty Mandras, Debbie Ringen, Livingston Nursing and Hospice, and Beverly Burke for their help and care. We would also like to thank Pastor John Martin of Church of the Foothills and Pastor Leonard DeWitt of Ventura Baptist Church for their comforting visits and prayers.

A viewing will be held between 6:00 and 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at Charles Carroll Funeral Home, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura. Don will be buried in a private military ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery.