Donald Wheatley Lundry

Donald Wheatley Lundry passed away in his home on Sunday, February 14, 2021, after a long illness.

Don was a 1954 Graduate of Summit High School in Summit, NJ, and a 1959 graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.  He later received a Master's Degree in Engineering from SUNY Binghamton while working for IBM.  Over the years, he worked for IBM, General Electric, and other firms as a software engineer and manager.

Over the past year, Don was lovingly cared for by his wife of 12 years, Peggy Davis Lundry of Fredericksburg, VA.  Previously, Don was married to Grace Campbell Lundry for 40 years before her passing in 2003.  Don is survived by his wife Peggy and his three children, Anita Lundry (Steve Lollis), Melanie Lundry Read (Chris), and W. Alex Lundry (Julia), ten grandchildren and three sisters, Diane Brigham (Bill), Beth Locke (Fred) and Karen Lundry (Bob Maclay).

Don served his country as a U.S. Army Reservist in the Signal Corps for approximately 30 years, achieving the rank of Colonel.  He was particularly proud of his graduation from the U.S. Army War College.

Don had many interests to include reading, bridge, music, and travel. Most recently, Don joined the Orange County Library Board as their Member-at-Large.  Don’s love of books and reading, particularly Science Fiction, led him to join the New York Science Fiction Society in the early 1970s.  As a Lunarian, as they were called, he chaired two Lunacon conventions in 1972 and 1976.  In 1975, he helped set up a charter flight to the World Science Fiction Convention, AussieCon One, held in Melbourne, Australia.  He was also the chair of the 1977 World Science Fiction Convention, SunCon, held in Miami, Florida.  Don was also an avid collector of music boxes and player pianos and was a member of the Musical Box Society International and the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association.  He enjoyed attending yearly conventions and touring members' collections.  As a bridge player, he reached LifeTime Bridge Master status.  His travels included a European honeymoon on a Vespa motorbike, trips to New Zealand and Australia for science fiction conventions, cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, and through the Panama Canal.  He also traveled to Argentina for his son’s wedding. 

A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends.  Interment will be in Fulton County, Illinois in Sinnett Chapel Cemetery.  Don will be missed by family, friends, and colleagues.