Donald “Don” Halter
Donald “Don” Halter, 90 years old, passed away peacefully on February 16th, 2023 in Webster, Texas under the care of a hospice nurse. He was born the eldest of six children on August 27th, 1932 in Akron, OH to Anthony and Madeline Halter. Donald Halter is survived by: his wife of 59 years Anne Blanton Halter; daughter, Susan Halter O’Keeffe; son, Donald A Halter, sisters, Patricia Hughes and Josephine Boda; grandchildren, Connor O’Keeffe, AbbyJane O’Keeffe, Aidan Halter, Evan Halter, and Brendan Halter; and numerous extended family members, friends, and fellow JSCAS family.
When his nation called he answered by joining the United States Navy, where he studied and excelled as a navigator on a TBF Avenger Airplane as well as a radar specialist in the Navy. After an honorable discharge, he went to work at Cape Canaveral in Cocoa Beach, FLA for the RCA Service Co, where he also met Anne Blanton. Don and Anne were married in 1963. Shortly thereafter, Don moved to Clear Lake City, TX where he worked on the NASA facility for over twenty six years in manned space flight ground control operations from the early Apollo space flights up until the space shuttle flights for various NASA contractor companies. Don was an active part of his two children’s lives growing up in Clear Lake City. In his retirement, Donald had a great passion for studying astronomy and making telescopes. He was an active member of the Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS) where he enjoyed many adventures at star parties and exploring telescope making, telescope optics and astronomical photography.
Don was also passionate about being the world’s best Dad and Grandpa. Don supported his own kids in their extra-curricular activities as they grew up, and went on to support all his grandkids in their endeavors from sidelines of soccer fields, to the countless orchestra concerts, and Irish Dance performances.
A public viewing and Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 23rd beginning with the viewing at 10:00am, followed by a service at 11:00am at Crowder Funeral Home, 111 E. Medical Center Blvd, Webster, TX 77598. Don will be laid to rest at Forest Park East in the Veteran’s Garden of Valor. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a memorial donation in Don Halter’s memory may do so by donating to the Friends of Fort McKavett, the generous hosts of many Texas Star Parties, via the Texas Historical Commission at www.thcthefriends.org/support. Don was loved and admired by many and a special thank you goes out to those who visited and sent messages of love to him in his final days.
May you rest in peace Don. Anne, Susan and Don, We are sending you all our love at this very sad time.
Marian, Peter, Adam, Luke, Orla & Niamh
My condolences cuz and family love yall all too
I worked with Don at Nasa for many years. What a wonderful man he was. He was always so kind and answered any question we had. He will be missed.
Sorry for your loss. Don was a neat guy and fun NASA training cohort. It is people like Don that make me miss all the training, simulations, and good times we used to share
May you rest in peace after a long and fruitful life. My condolences to all your family.
Don wS a good friend and Co worker at the Johson space center. He also was part of the team that photographed my wedding. I’ll will come by the Crower funeralhime to say my last farewells.
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My condolences to Aunt Anne, Don, Susan and their families.
One of my memories of Uncle Don is from a time when I was visiting. One of the Space Shuttles was due to pass overhead. The two of us laid down in that grass and waited. In a flash, we saw it and it was gone. We then moved on to a large telescope that Uncle Don had built. He showed me Nebula and I saw into a black hole. We had to wait for the moon to move in between some trees before we could see it. By the time that happened, there was too much moisture on the lens and we couldn’t see. I’m sure there were others around at the time, but I only remember the two us. It’s a cherished memory.
Don was a great guy to know and work with. My condolences to Don’s family. May Don Rest in Peace in Jesus’s Name.
In August 2019 I wanted Don to give a talk to 50 most brilliant kids from 18 countries for the Foundation for International Space Education.”Sure, but I will have surgery that morning so that will depend how I feel later” he said. Besides the pristine 8″ SCT he gave me, I have many such memories to remember Don by. Thank you dear friend for your dedication, your exemplary life and your leadership.
My sincere condolences to Anne,Susan, Don, and their wonderful and loving families. However, I don’t have words that are adequate to express what Don meant to me as a friend. He made me a better person just being around him! So, now I will have to rely on the great memories of what we did together. I will always treasure those memories!
May you rest in peace Uncle Don. As a child, I remember thinking how cool and smart you were. Susan and Donny were so lucky to have you for a dad! May God be with them at this time, and comfort Aunt Anne with a blanket of love and peace to carry on. I love you guys!
I alway enjoyed talking with my great uncle Don. He was a great man and will be missed.