Donald Fred Menne

Donald F. Menne, 77, of Charlotte, NC passed away March 6, 2006 after an extended illness. Born October 25, 1928 in Peru, Ill, Don graduated from Bradley University with a BSME in 1950 and worked for 35 years at the Ballistic Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. During his tenure at BRL, he made his home in Bel Air, Md.

He is survived by his wife Clara (formerly Clara Zuchora); his three children and their spouses, Douglas and Lyn Menne of Decatur, GA, Deborah and James York of Leesburg, VA, and Pamella and Eric Keller of St. Simons Island, GA; 8 grandchildren, Logan Menne and Grayson Menne, both of Decatur, GA, Christopher York, Daniel York, and Jonathan York, all of Leesburg, VA, and Ashlyn Keller, Maggie Keller, and Rebecca Keller, all of St. Simons, Island, GA; a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Jack Reckling of Lecanto, FL; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was the son of the late Fred and Louise Menne of Peru, IL.

Don’s entire career was concentrated in the science and engineering of ballistics. He did graduate work in this area at the University of Delaware, MIT, and the Ballistic Institute. He was highly regarded in his professional area of expertise and received numerous awards including: the Group Special Achievement Award for armor design (1974); Tripartite Award for armored vehicles (1976); Kent Award (1977); Outstanding Performance Award for BRL service (1978); Meritorious Civilian Service Award (1978); ARRADCOM Technical Director’s Award for contributions to the design, development and evaluation of the XM1-Tank System (1979); and the Exceptional Civilian Service Award (1982). He was a member of numerous professional and engineering associations and has more than 40 technical publications to his credit.

Don enjoyed bowling, golf, fishing, hunting and travel with his family and companions. He especially enjoyed watching the many tennis matches played by his daughter Pamella in state, national and collegiate circles.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers a gift be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, Virginia 23058.