Donald M. Davidson, age 71, born May 3, 1934, entered into eternal life with his savior, on Jan. 9, 2006.

Don graduated from Emmons High School in 1952. He earned his doctorate in science from Washington University in St. Louis, and his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Don was granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1982 for an innovation in a dry printing process.

He was a thermodynamics specialist in the early United States Space Program on projects Mecury, Gemini, Skylab and the early Apollo program, while employed at McDonnell-Douglas Corp. in St. Louis, from 1958 to 1974. After moving to Minneapolis in 1974, he worked for a number of companies. Later, from 1989 to 1992, he did contract work for General Electric in Princeton and Camden, N.J., and the Goddard Space Center in Seabrook, Md. Don was a past member of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and filled a number of offices including chairman. He was an avid photographer, museum enthusiast and family history buff.

Don was preceded in death by parents, David and Mildred Davidson of Emmons; and by his son Douglas.

He is survived by devoted wife, Ruth; four children, Cynthia (Alan) Vaughn, Brisbane, Australia; David, Minneapolis; Diana (Todd) Lofstrom, St. Paul; and Steven, Eagan; grandchildren, Eric, Tyler, Alyssa, Justin and Rosemary; three brothers, Karl of Sterling, Va., Selmer of Olympia, Wash., and Kenneth of Monterey, Calif.; sister, Berniece of St. Paul; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was held on Jan. 14, 2006, at the Gill Brothers Funeral Chapel, in New Hope, Minn. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Gill Brothers New Hope Chapel, 763-531-1777, was in charge of arrangements.