In Memory Of
Donald Leroy Hugdahl
1934
2020
Donald Leroy Hugdahl
February 17, 1934 — December 4, 2020
Donald LeRoy Hugdahl
Don graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1956. Following graduation, he became an all-weather interceptor fighter pilot in the Air Force. One of his lifetime highlights was going twice the speed of sound flying straight and level and climbing in excess of 60,000 feet while wearing a high-altitude pressure suit in a F106A. Don also survived a bailout from a crippled F102A—which he counted as one of his greatest aviation challenges. Don earned a Master's degree in English from Washington State University, which led to a teaching assignment at the United States Air Force Academy where he was honorably discharged, in 1967, achieving the rank of Captain. In addition to an esteemed military career, he became a professor at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado. However, Don gravitated toward business and found his stride in insurance and financial services. Don met a personal goal of visiting all fifty states and was a fan of studying Shakespeare.
He spent his last years in the company of his beloved friend Rita Compston. At the time of his passing he was a proud father of four children Wendy Landin, Scott (Leslie Martens) Hugdahl, Heidi (Hugdahl) (Patrick) Cillo, Derek Hugdahl and grandchildren Mitchell, Matthew, Reese, and Piper Hugdahl.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the United States Naval Academy.
To leave a special message for the family, click the "Share Memories" tab.
Don graduated from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1956. Following graduation, he became an all-weather interceptor fighter pilot in the Air Force. One of his lifetime highlights was going twice the speed of sound flying straight and level and climbing in excess of 60,000 feet while wearing a high-altitude pressure suit in a F106A. Don also survived a bailout from a crippled F102A—which he counted as one of his greatest aviation challenges. Don earned a Master's degree in English from Washington State University, which led to a teaching assignment at the United States Air Force Academy where he was honorably discharged, in 1967, achieving the rank of Captain. In addition to an esteemed military career, he became a professor at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado. However, Don gravitated toward business and found his stride in insurance and financial services. Don met a personal goal of visiting all fifty states and was a fan of studying Shakespeare.
He spent his last years in the company of his beloved friend Rita Compston. At the time of his passing he was a proud father of four children Wendy Landin, Scott (Leslie Martens) Hugdahl, Heidi (Hugdahl) (Patrick) Cillo, Derek Hugdahl and grandchildren Mitchell, Matthew, Reese, and Piper Hugdahl.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the United States Naval Academy.
To leave a special message for the family, click the "Share Memories" tab.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Leroy Hugdahl, please visit our flower store.
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