Donald George Bisgrove

Donald George Bisgrove February 28, 1931 – September 26, 2023 On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, Donald George Bisgrove, loving husband, devoted father of five, and patriarch to many passed away at age 92 in Fairfax, VA. Don was born on February 28, 1931, in Clear Lake, IA to Walter and Carmen (Cook) Bisgrove. He graduated Clear Lake High School, Clear Lake, IA in 1949. Don attended Northern Iowa Teachers College and in 1953 entered Aviation Cadets Basic Pilot training, flying T-28s and T-33s at Williams AFB, AZ. After pilot training in 1954 Don flew T-29s all over Texas for navigators in training. In 1955 he moved to Amarillo, TX to join a ferrying squadron moving C-119s, B-26s, and other aircraft all over the world. On March 18, 1957, in Amarillo, TX, Don married Rita “Reenie” Hohenshelt. They moved to Ames, IA in 1958 to pursue his Bachelor of Science degree in Logistics at The Iowa State College, graduating in 1959. In 1965 Don earned a Master of Science degree from The University of Tennessee. Don joined his father’s egg business in Manly, IA until 1962, when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF) and where he honorably served as a USAF logistician for 20 years. Don and Reenie traveled the world extensively during and following his USAF career, retiring from the USAF in 1980. After “retirement,” Don pursued many activities including transportation and support for many ill and injured patients to-and-from hospitals and other treatment facilities. Don and Reenie raised five children, Debra (deceased), Christopher, Douglas, Julie, and Tina. Don enjoyed traveling and the outdoors. He was an avid golfer and long-distance runner and ran several marathons all over the world. Don also enjoyed cards and was a Life Master bridge player and tournament director. Everyone knew Don for his story telling, quick wit, and world traveling spirit of adventure. Don is survived by his wife Reenie, and his four living children, Christopher (Lori), Douglas (Marilyn), Julie, Tina Coleman (John), and Debra’s surviving husband Jeffery. Don and Reenie have 17 grandchildren (Gregory, Melissa, Rachel, Lindsey, Joshua, Caleb, Debbie, David, Daniel, Dean, Danielle, Thomas, Ethan, Jessica, Chaeli, Carli, and Connor), 10 great-grandchildren (Jordan, Devin, Bryleigh, Ezekiel, Ryzon, Reign, Nyla, Jacoby, Ander, Gaia, Lily and Zoey), and 1 great-great-grandchild (Jordan Jr.). Don is also survived by his sisters Mary Davis and Shirley Andersen, and nieces and nephews. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held October 20, 2023 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7600 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA 22152. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at a future date.

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Donald George Bisgrove

February 28, 1931 - September 26, 2023