Donald Lawrence Haller, BHS 1944

Donald Lawrence Haller, BHS 1944 

North County Blade – Citizen, Solana Beach, California, Saturday, February 15, 2003

CARLDBAD – Donald L. Haller, 76, died peacefully Monday, February 10, 2003, of cancer, in his home with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughters present. Born May 22, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, he retired in 1995 from Hughes Space and Communicators in El Segundo.  

Don was born in Detroit, Michigan to Charles and Goldie Haller and resided near Flint, Michigan, until the age twelve. He then moved with his parents to New Mexico, where they set up a trading post on the Continental Divide near Gallup. He attended school there with the Navajo tribe and then later moved to Burbank, California, where he attended high school.

After graduating six months early, he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the destroyer USS Meade D0602, as a sonarman third class. During his service he earned the American Area Campaign Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in June 1946.

He had several jobs in the years following the war and most recently worked for Hughes Corporation in El Segundo, California, in the Space and Communications division. He was a technician in the high bay building satellites. He retired in 1995 to his home in Newbury Park, California, where he had lived since 1973.

 He was a member of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Newbury Park, California, since 1975 and most recently attended services as his health allowed at Calvary Lutheran Church in Solana Beach, California.

Don is survived by his wife of 54 years, June Haller; son Jeff Haller; aunt Sylvia Whitcomb; daughter-in-law Eileen Haller; and granddaughters Brenna and Tessa Haller.

There will be a memorial service for Don today, February 25, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 424 Via de La Valle in Solana Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in memory of Donald L. Haller to the City of Hope, Attn: Central Processing, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010.