Donald Theodore Greenwood, 95, of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at the Kresge Rehabilitation Center in Chelsea, Michigan.
Donald Greenwood was born and raised in Clarkdale, Arizona. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1944, a Master of Science in Physics in 1948, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering in 1951, all from the California Institute of Technology. He married Esther Ida Marie Harju in 1951.
While at Cal Tech, Don joined the United States Naval Reserve through the V-12 program. He attended Midshipmen’s School at the Naval Academy in 1945 and was commissioned as an Ensign. He entered active duty and was sent to the Pacific as the war was ending and was released from the Navy in early 1946.
From 1946-1947, Don worked as an Electronic Design Engineer at Engineering Research Associates in Saint Paul, Minnesota. From 1951 to 1956, he served as the head of analog computing at the Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, California. During this time, he also lectured at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Greenwood was a professor in the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Michigan from 1956 to 1994. He authored three college textbooks in dynamics: Principals of Dynamics (1965 and 1988), Classical Dynamics (1977 and 1997), and Advanced Dynamics (2003).
Don was also an avid runner. Among other accomplishments, he won the 2-mile event at the USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships (60-70 age division) in 1984. He was still able to run a sub 8-minute mile at age 80. For over 40 years, he served as a finish judge for the University of Michigan track and field team’s home meets.
Vacationing in Arizona and Colorado was a yearly highlight for Don since 1957. He hiked the Grand Canyon many times over the years and enjoyed hiking in the Rocky Mountains up until the age of 92.
Don was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he served as an usher and volunteered in other capacities.
Donald Greenwood was preceded in death by his wife, Esther Greenwood in 1999, his daughter, Anne Greenwood in 1995 and his brother, Robert Greenwood in 2008. He is survived by his son, Brian (Barbara) Greenwood of Houston, Texas along with his sister, Arleda (Jack) Ballard of Centennial, Colorado. He leaves four grandchildren: Daniel (Alexandra) Greenwood of Dallas, Texas; John Greenwood of Houston, Texas; Heather Greenwood of Houston, Texas; and Andrew Greenwood of Houston, Texas. He also leaves two great-grandchildren: Jackson Greenwood and Kennedy Greenwood both of Dallas, Texas.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., January 4 at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 South Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., January 5 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Burial will follow service at Arborcrest Memorial Park, Ann Arbor.
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