Donald Richard Montgomery passed peacefully on November 27, 2024 (aged 94) at his home in Ashland, Oregon. He was born September 4, 1930 to William Hez Montgomery and Harriet Nies Montgomery in Pasadena, California.

Don graduated high school at Pasadena Junior College and earned a degree in electrical engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. After a stint with the Naval Reserve, Don embarked on a career that would see him contribute significantly to the exploration of space.

He began at the Navy Electronics Lab, then Bendix Corp. and in 1962 was contracted to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory through CalTech. At JPL he became engineering group supervisor in the lunar and planetary instruments section, Space Science Division. He played a pivotal role as the lead developer of the cameras for the Surveyor spacecraft program, which provided crucial mapping of the lunar surface in preparation for the Apollo missions. He also developed cameras for the Mariner Mars fly-by program before heading to NASA headquarters in Washington D.C. to work on the SeaSat Oceanographic Satellite program. He later became Director of Ocean Services at NOAA, and he authored several articles and co-authored a book about the Surveyor spacecraft, further cementing his legacy.

His work took him around the world, from Kenya, Australia and the South Pacific, to the arctic regions of Iceland, Greenland and Norway. His adventures were not just professional but also personal, as he embraced the cultures and experiences that came with his travels.

In 1953 Don married his college sweetheart June Waterbury. They settled in Altadena and raised their three children. Don later married Lynn Michaels, his devoted partner for over 45 years. After a period living in the Washington D.C. suburbs, the couple retired to Ashland and built their dream home.

If something made a loud bang: fireworks, rockets or rifles, then Don loved it. His appreciation for all things mechanical and electrical was evident in his passion for vintage cars and ham radio. He had an affinity for agriculture which he inherited from his Texan relatives. He even owned a pepper farm in Arizona for a time, and helped his cousin raise sheep in Chino. Music was another of Don’s great loves. He played the trumpet from childhood until his final years and was the drum major at Cal Poly SLO. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing in various jazz bands. One of his greatest pleasures was fishing with his kids. A family fishing trip to June Lake took place annually for almost 50 years. He had a great sense of fun and everyone enjoyed being around him. He was warm hearted and charming, intelligent and often mischievous. Don was very easy to love by all who knew him.

Don is survived by his beloved wife Lynn, his children, Bill Montgomery, Bob Montgomery and Laura Montgomery Waag, his grandchildren Erica Pitney and Kyle Montgomery, and his step-children, Jennifer Trotoux and David Minasian. He also leaves behind four great-grandchildren, Hudson Pitney, Carter Pitney, Mason Montgomery and Graham Montgomery; and four step-grandchildren, Sinam Minasian, Daro Minasian, Jules Trotoux and Daniel Trotoux. His family, along with his many devoted friends, will miss him dearly.

A celebration of Don’s remarkable life will be held early in the new year.

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