Obituary
Guest Book
301 East Third Avenue
Ellensburg, Washington
Donald Henry Stuhring, M.D.
On Thursday March 27, 2014, Dr. Donald H Stuhring went home to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born September 17, 1924 in New Jersey. He was first and foremost a loved husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Barbara H Stuhring, his college sweetheart, to whom he was married for over 60 years, daughter Susan Lowatchie, and sons Paul Stuhring and Dr. Glen Stuhring.
Don grew up in South Orange New Jersey, son of a grocery clerk, enlisted in the Navy, excelled, and became a pharmacist assistant and eventually recognized by his commander as a prospect for college. A chance to go to Princeton University, much less graduate with honors, was a dream for him and his family. He went on to get degrees in a Doctorate of Medicine, Public Health and eventually, an Aerospace Medical Surgeon, Hyperbaric Medicine Specialty. He was offered a position at Boeing as the head of the medical division of their aerospace program, so the family moved out West. He was instrumental in developing commercial airline safety features, such as the "overhead oxygen mask when the cabin pressure drops". He was Boeing's lead physician in their collaboration with the manned space program at Cape Kennedy and Houston.
Retiring in good health, he stayed active in many sports, including volleyball, a national championship softball league and joy of salmon fishing. He did finally catch his 54 lb. trophy salmon on the Kenai. Spanish was his second language and practiced it on the unsuspecting, often. He was known as a master gardener to his neighbors, building raised beds filled with meticulously composted soil. He gave away tons of tomatoes and tomato plants. We think his motto would be, "if you're going to do it, you might as well do it right the first time".
In the last 10 years, he and Barbara moved to Ellensburg to be near their children, and, of course, he continued raised bed gardening until they moved into a comfortable retirement home setting. He kept active until suffering complications of a fractured hip and shortly after, passed on to heaven comfortably.
He would want to be remembered as a man of high integrity, of faith despite a scientific background, a dearly loved, dedicated leader of his family, and a man who displayed with his intelligence and sense of humor the importance of a strong will of striving to do the right thing, the best you can, before you're done. These attributes will be carried on and never forgotten.
A private memorial will be held in celebration of his blessed 89 years. Remembrances could be a prayer offered for your faith and strength as we will all experience these losses.
Arrangements under the direction of Steward & Williams Tribute Center, Ellensburg, WA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
April 4, 2014
Jane Pickard
I'll always remember Don and his tomatoes -- he was such an outstanding gardener. He loved sharing his knowledge of composting and growing things and I was fortunate to learn a few of his secrets. My heart is with the whole family.
April 4, 2014
Randy Millar
Going to Alaska with Don and sons is a memory I think of often, his laugh and and joy in being there fishing was pure. So glad to have those memories.
April 3, 2014
Jenny Steward
Seth and I consider ourselves so incredibly lucky to have met Don this past year. I know he meant a lot to my father (his nephew) and I am grateful that I had the chance to come to Ellensburg and meet my grandmother's sister and family. Knowing him through stories and one brief visit, I am blessed to call him family.
April 2, 2014
He did SO much for his country and community. As a fellow veteran, I salute him. Colleen Abernathy, USMC, Ret. Mt. Shasta, Ca.
April 2, 2014
Kristi Knudson-KVHLAB
Always enjoyed Don when he would come into the hospital for his lab draws and during his hospital stays. Always sweet and kind even when not feeling great.He gave me some great tips for my tomatoes which I will try this year :) Sorry for your loss....
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Funeral services provided by:
Johnston & Williams Funeral Home & Crematory - Ellensburg301 East Third Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more