We've lost another...Donn Gunzenhauser

[Shawn Lenci]

It is with a heavy heart that I am informing the stunt flyers of Northern California that we have lost another of our group.  I just found out this morning that Donn Gunzenhauser, formerly from the Bay Area and later the Modesto area passed away on January 2, 2017 due to complications from a hip surgery.

Donn was a WAM member I believe in the 60's and 70's and flew many events on top of stunt.  I understand he was proficient in Carrier and Ballon Bust as well.  I met Donn around 1993 when he found me in the PAMPA directory and called me out of the blue.  He told me he had a stunt circle on his property and invited me over to fly with him as we only lived about 30 min apart.  I went, met Donn, and we became instant friends for the next 24 years.  Donn was friends with Paul Eisenhower, Doug Barton, Clint Ormosen, and other notable Northern California pilots.  I am glad to have called him my friend as well.

I spoke with his son, Steve, this morning and found out he fell in November and broke his hip.  He had surgery and it was successful but he developed pneumonia in hospital.  He was in ICU for 3 weeks but could never regain his strength.  Steve said Donn had his wits all the way until the end and said he did not want to die but his 84 year old body could not weather the pneumonia.  I know a lot of pilots are at the VSC this weekend but I just wanted to let everyone know his family is having a "Celebration of Life" this Saturday March 11th from 12 to 3 PM at the Linden Lions Club in Linden, CA just east of Stockton.  The address is 5041 N. Market, Linden, CA.  He son didn't know any of Donn's model airplane friends be he wanted me to let you all know they would love to have you at the Celebration to remember his father.  Hope to see some of you Nor Cal stunt flyers there.

Regards,

Shawn Lenci
Escalon, CA

[Balsa Butcher]

I met Don in 1988 when I returned to C/L flying after a long lay off. I remember competing with him at the end of the WAM era and later at the AMA contests during the 90's and 2000's. He regularly attended all of them, not always winning but always enjoying himself. I also bought a few kits from him when he was a distributor for RSM and other manufacturers. See you there, Shawn, thanks for posting. 

[Cleon M Lingwood]

Sorry to hear the news.  Donn was a great friend and a delight to be around.  I will miss him...


Cleon M. Lingwood, Jr.
AMA 644079

[Gerald Arana]

Oh what a bummer.......... I met Donn several years ago (Can't remember how many) and am very saddened to hear of his passing.

We had a mutual exchange of "Good" deals and he was always greatfull as was I.

Hopefully I will be able to make it to the celebration of life.

Godspeed Donn.

Jerry

[Shawn Lenci]

GA,

Hope you can make it as well.

Shawn

[Clint Ormosen]

Shawn, Thanks for that great write up on Don. He was my friend.

[eric rule]

I am saddened to learn that Donn is gone. I unfortunately lost touch with him a few years ago when he retired from flying. Many fun  times with him at contests in Northern California.

Donn was a great guy and a credit to control line. He will be missed!

Eric Rule

[Shawn Lenci]

Several of the Northern California stunt contingency attended Donn's "Celebration of Life" this past Saturday.  Pete Cunha, Cleon Lingwood, Clint Ormosen, Jerry Arana, Doug Barton and his wife, myself and my Dad, Ron Lenci all attended.  Donn's family was very happy to have his model buddies there in attendance.  They displayed 3 of Donn's beautiful stunters and were all very gracious to us.

Donn's family was extremely large,  he had 6 children, 25 grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren. The immediate family with spouses totaled 79 people.  It was a large, loud group.  All of the family referred to Donn as "Grumps".  They all told stories of Grumps and his model building and the love he had for his family.  It was a very touching event to see how so many people could have so much love for one man. 

As others have stated it is hard losing another fellow modeler and one who was especially nice as Donn was.  I'm sure he is up there now flying his most perfect pattern ever!  We'll miss you Donn...Godspeed.

Shawn Lenci

[Clint Ormosen]

Several of the Northern California stunt contingency attended Donn's "Celebration of Life" this past Saturday.  Pete Cunha, Cleon Lingwood, Clint Ormosen, Jerry Arana, Doug Barton and his wife, myself and my Dad, Ron Lenci all attended.  Donn's family was very happy to have his model buddies there in attendance.  They displayed 3 of Donn's beautiful stunters and were all very gracious to us.

Donn's family was extremely large,  he had 6 children, 25 grandchildren, and 33 great grandchildren. The immediate family with spouses totaled 79 people.  It was a large, loud group.  All of the family referred to Donn as "Grumps".  They all told stories of Grumps and his model building and the love he had for his family.  It was a very touching event to see how so many people could have so much love for one man. 

As others have stated it is hard losing another fellow modeler and one who was especially nice as Donn was.  I'm sure he is up there now flying his most perfect pattern ever!  We'll miss you Donn...Godspeed.

Shawn Lenci

Amen.