Obituary of Donald Herman Lilienthal

CDR Donald Herman Lilienthal, 83 CDR Donald Herman Lilienthal, 83, of Sterling, VA died at INOVA Loudon Hospital on August 21st, 2014 after a brief illness. He is survived by his daughter Karen Lilienthal of Sterling, VA, his son John and daughter-in-law Theresa Lilienthal of Bel Air, MD, his two granddaughters Kaitlin Lilienthal of El Dorado, AR and Kim Lilienthal of Raleigh, NC and his brother Paul Lilienthal of Hamburg, PA along with nieces, nephews and extended family. He is pre-deceased by his son Donald Herman Lilienthal Jr, his parents Frederick and Bertha Lilienthal of Glenwood, MN, his sisters Elayne Schluter of Glenwood, MN and Geneva Rodberg of Sun City West, AZ Donald graduated from Glenwood High School in 1949, completed college work at the University of Minnesota and Luther College before graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1955. He completed basic flight school, and graduated from the Navy Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, MD. He served with distinction for 20 years as both a test pilot and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) pilot, highlighted by earning a Navy Distinguished Flying Cross after commanding a series of P-3C Orion flights that set 8 world aviation records for heavyweight turbo-prop aircraft. He also earned the Navy Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His biography is included in the Naval History and Heritage Command library. After retirement from the Navy, he worked as an Aeronautical Engineering Consultant for a variety of organizations. Donald was a voracious reader who read books spanning a variety of genres. He loved football, especially Navy football, and the Green Bay Packers, along with a good hamburger - well, well done... He spent many hours while on active duty and in retirement playing squash at the Pentagon Officers Athletic Center. Visitation will be held on September 20th, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, followed by a memorial service from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170. In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the American Legion, Arlington Virginia Post 139. Thoughts, prayers and memories can be posted at www.adamsgreen.com. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery.