Donald Penn

Donald George Penn

Donald George Penn, 87, Hibbing, MN, died Saturday, July 20, 2019.

He was born In Des Moines, IA on May 5, 1932 to George and Cornelia (Brunell) Penn.  He grew up on a farm/orchard in Mt. Vernon, IA, moving to Maquoketa, IA where he graduated from high school in 1950.  He graduated from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon in 1954 with a degree in math and from Iowa State university in Ames, IA, with degrees in math and physics.

He served in the US Army, teaching in the guided missile program at Ft. Bliss, TX.  After teaching high school physics in Nevada, IA for two years he taught physics in the Eveleth Community College from 1959-1962, he then came to the Hibbing Community College and taught until 1990.

Don was avid pilot and a certified flight instructor for 47 years and taught a large number of area pilots.  His summers and sabbaticals always involved either teaching or flying.  He taught at Bemidji State University, the Univ. of MN- Mpls, in Valdez, AK, 7 summers at Iowa State University and at Cornell College.  His flying activities included being a bush pilot, flying an air ambulance, was a DNR Fire Patrol pilot, was on the Hibbing blast patrol for the mines and on the power line patrol for MP&L.  Even after retirement Donald kept active with teaching and flying.

Don was a musician, playing many instruments including most of the wind instruments, percussion, and handbells at several churches.  He had a beautiful bass voice and sang in his church choirs, the Voices of Reason and other small groups.

He is survived by his wife of 3 ½ years, Sylvia (Jackie) ?, his children Steven (Irma) of Phoenix, AZ, Greg (Rachel) of Ava, MO, and Linda (Scott) Johnson of Ava, 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, brothers: Robert (Deborah) of Aurora, CO, and David of Monticello, IA. He was preceded in death by a grandson David in 2018.  Services will be held Monday, July 29, 2019 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at 1:00 p.m.  Visitation will be in the Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing on Sunday, July 28 from 5:30  p.m. until 7:30 pm and will continue in the church Monday from 12 Noon until service time.  Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing.  Memorials may be directed to Our Saviors Lutheran Church Heating Fund or the donor’s choice.