Donald Kehren

Donald William Kehren, 75, passed away on July 9, 2015 with his family by his side. Mr. Kehren was born in Pittsburgh PA to Charles and Edna Rose Kehren, the 2nd of five children.  In 1957 Mr. Kehren entered the Air Force and began a life-long commitment to serving his country and fellow man.  For 28 years, he was a Senior Master Sergeant in the US Air Force initially serving as an Air Craft Turbo Propeller Mechanic and then Aircraft Maintenance Shift Supervisor. His final years in the Air Force were spent as Hospital Superintendent of Dental Services before retiring from active duty.  Afterwards, he continued serving through civil service to run the US Army post office at the military base in Wiesbaden Germany.

After more than 50 years of service in the US and overseas, Mr. Kehren retired to Buckeye Arizona with his loving wife Rotraut Kehren. He continued his volunteer service with the retirees association at the Luke Air Force Base in Goodyear AZ and with the VFW.  He was active in his church and devout in his faith.  From a young age, he developed a love of cooking, baking and grilling and delighted in providing delicious meals for family and friends.  Seeing him standing over his grill or baking his famous pies are memories his family will hold dear.  Mr. Kehren’s intense compassion for others extended to animals, having several beloved dogs throughout his adult life and supporting animal welfare organizations and rescue groups.  And most of all, he loved getting to know people wherever he went and making them smile with his witty humor, generosity, and unique colorful style.

In addition to his wife Rotraut, Mr. Kehren is survived by his son Don and daughter-in-law Jennifer; his loving brother-in-law and sister-in-law Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Wilpuetz, United States Army, and Elvira Wilpuetz; his nephew Jerry Tarter and family along with Mr. Kehren’s family in Pittsburgh including siblings Charles, Joyce Borneman with spouse Fred, Delores Mazzarini with spouse Frank, and Paul with spouse Elizabeth.

Mr. Kehren is being laid to rest in the National Memorial Cemetery in Cave Creek AZ with full military honors on Friday July 17, 2015.