Obituary
June 25, 2008
By Administrator
Donald Lynas Ossinger
Donald Lynas Ossinger, a longtime resident of Sammamish, died June 11 after a brief stay at Overlake Hospital. He was 70.
Don was born Sep. 11, 1937, to Carl and Florence (Spaulding) Ossinger in Boise, Idaho, and grew up in Burien. After graduating from Highline High School in Burien, Don received a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from University of Washington while working at Boeing.
Joining the Air Force in 1961, he completed flight training in Enid, Okla., with Class 62F and kept in close touch with his fellow classmates. While in the Air Force, Don received a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Serving two tours in Vietnam, he retired after 22 years in the Air Force with more than 6,000 hours of flight time as a pilot.
During his career, he received the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1983, Don returned to Washington and rejoined Boeing, retiring in 1997 as a commercial flight test analyst. He was also an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Don greatly enjoyed camping and fishing with family, gardening, sharing his vegetable crop with neighbors and his cooking prowess. In retirement, Don and Joyce took pleasure in sailing on many cruises throughout the world.
Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joyce (Lake) Ossinger; daughter Diane Ettinger and her husband Ken, of Concord, Calif.; son Richard Ossinger and his wife Ann (Ward), of Corvallis, Ore.; and two granddaughters.
The family is thankful for the excellent care he received from the doctors and nurses at Overlake Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements are by Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory of Issaquah.
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