WILLIAM DONALD “DON” LIEDER

Don Lieder went with our Lord to a place free of pain and suffering at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo, on October 20, 2021, nine days before his 91st birthday. Don was renowned for his corny jokes. Everyone remembers at least one silly joke that Don loved to tell. Making people smile and laugh made him happy, as he always lived on the “sunny side of the street.” Don was a kind, generous, loving soul, who will be greatly missed.

Don, who was the only son of parents, William F. and Constance (Dietz) Lieder, grew up in Cincinnati and graduated from Hughes High School in 1948. Don attended the University of Cincinnati, earning his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1953, where he was a charter member of the Ohio Theta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. In 1961 he graduated from Case Western Reserve University, earning his master’s degree in engineering administration. Don believed, “Engineers solve problems you didn’t know you had in ways you can’t understand.”

Don met his beloved wife, Ann Reichle, at the University of Cincinnati. They married in 1955. Married nearly 67 years, they lived in Edgewood, Maryland, Cleveland, New Jersey, and Philadelphia before moving to the Toledo area 52 years ago. Longtime resident of his favorite place, Perrysburg, Don and his wife (Ann), moved to a Villa at Ohio Living Swan Creek in Toledo.

Don was “proud to have served his country as a Korean War veteran.” From 1954 to 1956 Don served as a chemical engineer for the U.S. Army Chemical Corps. He received two accommodations for outstanding performance of duties. In later life, he was active with the American Legion, serving a term as commander of Toledo Post 335.

Don worked in the petroleum industry most of his career, including 30 years for Sunoco. Don loved his work as a chemical engineer, solving problems and simulating refinery processes for operational optimization and capital improvements. He received the Outstanding Chemical Engineer award granted by the American Institute of Chemical Engineering. Don was a charter member of the Sun Federal Credit Union, serving as board chairman 17 years. Don was a leader with the Sun Retirees monthly luncheons. After retirement he continued as a petroleum engineering consultant for the United States EPA and other organizations. Don enjoyed public

Don enjoyed public speaking on subjects including energy, solid waste and fresh water. He was deeply concerned over the world’s environmental challenges, which he regularly researched in his free time. Don was a tree hugger who planted trees all his married life, sought sunsets and savored the beauty of nature with Ann.

Don’s faith in the Lord was a stabilizing influence and a fundamental part of his life. At Zoar Lutheran, where he was an active member for close to 50 years, Don served on numerous committees and as an assisting minister well into his 90th year.

Don felt that Perrysburg was a special town. He was a 30-year member of the Perrysburg Tree Commission, Perrysburg Charter Review and a 50-year member and past president of the Perrysburg Exchange Club. A longtime member of the Toledo Torch Club, he served as president and a program speaker on environmental issues. Don also served on the Toledo Solid Waste project.

Don’s life was shaped by his involvement with the Masonic Order, as a member of more than 50 years of the Masonic Lodge #123 and Scottish Rite Valley of Toledo.

An arts lover, Don was a season subscriber of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and a 19th century romantic, enjoying American Art of the Albert Bierstadt period.

Don and Ann loved traveling the world and visiting family as often as possible. Don would remark on the sites they saw and the activities they enjoyed on their 15 trips to Europe, many on favorite riverboat cruises. Ann has many cherished memories of Road Scholar/Elderhostel trips, and adventure trips from the Florida Keys to California and Alaska.

Don’s other interests included reading, watching James Bond movies, cheering on his beloved Cincinnati Bearcats and eating Cincinnati Skyline Chili. He was an accomplished whistler of Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” 12 months of the year.

When Ann met Don at the University of Cincinnati, “he was a kind and gentle man who remained that way for the next 70 years.”

Left to cherish Don’s memory are his beloved wife, Ann; daughters, Lynn and Laura (Terry) Rombalski; grandchildren, Caroline (Sean) Milford, Claire Kelly, Annmarie Rombalski, Peter (Caroline) Kelly and Nora Rombalski, and his sister, Constance Lieder of Baltimore, Maryland. He also is survived by his brother-in-law, Philip (Joyce) Reichle of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as well as nieces and nephews from Texas, Tennessee and Illinois.

Family and friends are invited to gather and share in celebrating Don’s life on Friday, November 5, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home, 222 East Boundary Street, Perrysburg, (419-874-3133) with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday, November 6, at 10 a.m., at Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 West Indiana Avenue, Perrysburg, with funeral services beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Fort Meigs Union Cemetery, with full military honors. Immediately following the burial a memorial (FUN-er-al) luncheon to share memories, music and laughter will be held at Zoar Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Zoar Lutheran Church Foundation Fund, the Toledo Symphony League Remembrance Fund (for music student scholarships) or the Lucas County Toledo Metroparks. Condolences may be made online to the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.