Lt. Col. David E. Donoghue (Ret.)

Lt. Col. David E. Donoghue (Ret.) of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Wichita with his wife by his side. Born in Boston to the late Edward T. and Ellen M. (Birmingham) Donoghue, David was the loving husband of nearly 36 years to Maryann Donoghue (Garufo) and father to Kristin Shipe (Donoghue) and her husband James. David was also the proud grandfather to Summer Rose. David was the older brother to Geraldine Logan and her husband Bob, of Port Ludlow, WA, Jack Donoghue and his wife Debbie of Marshfield, MA and Jane Gifford and her husband Ray of Port Charlotte, FL. He was a favorite uncle to several nieces and nephews and a dear friend to many.

David was a 1957 graduate of Scituate High School in Massachusetts where he played football,

baseball and tennis and was a member of the marching band. In 1962, he graduated from

Lowell Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering where he also played baseball

as a fastball pitcher. Following graduation, he enlisted in Officer’s Candidate School in the U.S.

Airforce and became a fighter pilot, including a tour in Vietnam piloting F4s. His military career

took him all over the world, including posts in Korea, Germany, the Philippines, Maryland,

California, Florida and Virginia. During his career he earned a master’s degree in business and

retired from the Air Force in 1985 as a Lieutenant Colonel. David then joined civilian life and

moved to Wichita, where he worked for Boeing and met Maryann.

David enjoyed golfing and tending to the horses at the farm. He was a past president of

Waterford Homeowners Association for many years and a proud member of Air Capital Flight 83

Order of the Daedalians, where he also served as flight captain. He was always happy to be

gathered with friends and family for any type of celebration. A recent highlight was when several

family members visited him last summer to celebrate his birthday. He talked about that weekend

for months.

We will miss you and your beautiful, sparkling blue eyes, David. May you rest in peace.

Private family graveside service with full military honors will be held at White Chapel Memorial

Gardens, Wichita, KS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name and loving

memory to the Order of Daedalians or American Cancer Society, Wichita Chapter.