In Memory Of
Richard Bruce Doner
1935
2020
Richard Bruce Doner
March 22, 1935 — December 9, 2020
Avid aviator Richard Bruce 'Dick' Doner, 85 of Cleveland Heights, Ohio made his last flight on Dec. 9, 2020 following an extended illness, in hospice care at Summa Health in Akron, OH. Richard was born March 22, 1935 in Mansfield, Ohio.
He is survived by his brother Eric in Colorado, stepsister Chris Creamer in Ohio, nieces Kristen Barthelman and Brooke Cox as well as step-nephew Todd Creamer and step-niece Cindy Finley. Bruce, as his family knew him, was preceded in death by his wife Norma, mother Virginia, father Howard, and sister Patricia Lowe.
He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1953 where he starred in basketball. He then attended Kent State University where he studied aviation and earned his pilot's license. Bruce was active in Army ROTC and was a member of the elite Pershing Rifles drill team. He continued his military service for over a dozen years in the US Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant.
His easy and pleasant manner led to success in sales; of GMC trucks for Weidner Pontiac-GMC in Mansfield, in motor freight for Associated Transport and municipal equipment for Advanced Plumbing & Drain Corp. in Cleveland.
A relentless entrepreneur and innovator, Dick enjoyed success in many business endeavors. He was a co-founder and Chief Pilot for Air Commuter (later Wright Airlines) flying executives and air cargo throughout the Great Lakes region. He founded and led Lawn Care, Ltd. a pioneer liquid lawn service and Steel Inc., distributor of metal fasteners. He continued his ties to the transportation industry as General Manager of Wilcox Parcel Service in Columbus, Ohio and in recent years operated a limited specialty cartage service for select clients in the Cleveland area.
Bruce served his community as a Boy Scout leader in Cleveland Heights where he coached and mentored dozens of young men. His scouts accompanied him on many camping expeditions to the family tree farm and to races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Watkins Glen. A sportsman, he was a season ticket holder of the Cleveland Barons and Crusaders hockey teams, and raced sailboats as a long-time member and officer of Edgewater Yacht Club.
Currently the family requests prayers and privacy. A private memorial service will be held at a safer time at the tree farm. In lieu of flowers or cards, we encourage support of first responders and medical professionals.
He is survived by his brother Eric in Colorado, stepsister Chris Creamer in Ohio, nieces Kristen Barthelman and Brooke Cox as well as step-nephew Todd Creamer and step-niece Cindy Finley. Bruce, as his family knew him, was preceded in death by his wife Norma, mother Virginia, father Howard, and sister Patricia Lowe.
He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1953 where he starred in basketball. He then attended Kent State University where he studied aviation and earned his pilot's license. Bruce was active in Army ROTC and was a member of the elite Pershing Rifles drill team. He continued his military service for over a dozen years in the US Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant.
His easy and pleasant manner led to success in sales; of GMC trucks for Weidner Pontiac-GMC in Mansfield, in motor freight for Associated Transport and municipal equipment for Advanced Plumbing & Drain Corp. in Cleveland.
A relentless entrepreneur and innovator, Dick enjoyed success in many business endeavors. He was a co-founder and Chief Pilot for Air Commuter (later Wright Airlines) flying executives and air cargo throughout the Great Lakes region. He founded and led Lawn Care, Ltd. a pioneer liquid lawn service and Steel Inc., distributor of metal fasteners. He continued his ties to the transportation industry as General Manager of Wilcox Parcel Service in Columbus, Ohio and in recent years operated a limited specialty cartage service for select clients in the Cleveland area.
Bruce served his community as a Boy Scout leader in Cleveland Heights where he coached and mentored dozens of young men. His scouts accompanied him on many camping expeditions to the family tree farm and to races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Watkins Glen. A sportsman, he was a season ticket holder of the Cleveland Barons and Crusaders hockey teams, and raced sailboats as a long-time member and officer of Edgewater Yacht Club.
Currently the family requests prayers and privacy. A private memorial service will be held at a safer time at the tree farm. In lieu of flowers or cards, we encourage support of first responders and medical professionals.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Bruce Doner, please visit our flower store.
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