Donald Louis Segel, W.W. II Army Vet

Longtime Palisades resident Donald Louis Segel passed away peacefully at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center on June 11. He was 88.
Segel was born on April 8, 1925 to Harry Segel and Jean Rosen in Cleveland, Ohio, where he, his two brothers and sister were raised.
After graduating from Cleveland Heights High, he and his twin brother, Ronald, joined the Army, where they served with the 42nd Rainbow Division.
In France, their platoon was captured just prior to the Battle of the Bulge. Miraculously, they survived to return to their family, who had relocated to Los Angeles during the war.  Donald attended UCLA and received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, leading to a career as a communications and computer expert in the defense industry. He was employed by Hughes, Rand Corporation and TRW Space and Missile Division, and helped develop many systems integral to the first digital computers and the Internet.
In 1967, he married his beloved wife, Pearl, and settled in Pacific Palisades, where he was active in numerous organizations and charities, including the American Legion, Ex POWs, Nifty Fifties, Theatre Palisades, Toastmasters, opera and the symphony. Most notably, Donald remained a faithful member of the Rainbow Division, serving as president in 1991 and historian, attending national and international events for the rest of his life.
Don and Pearl spent 42 wonderful years together, traveling the world and taking cruises with their family and friends, and always making new friends along the way.
When Donald lost his beloved wife in 2009, his nephew, Mitch, came to live with him, and together they combined and conquered many new worlds.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ronald and Richard Segel, and his sister Hortense Weller. He is survived by nieces Debbie, Grace, Brenda and Holly; nephews Mitch and Joe; in-laws Shirley and Stan Berko; and his many great-nieces and nephews.
Burial took place on June 14 at the Home of Peace Memorial Park in Whittier. Donations can be made in Donald’s honor to the 42nd Rainbow Division.
Donald will be greatly missed by his family and community, and remembered as a scholar and adventurer, and as a perpetually curious, good-humored, and loving husband, brother, uncle, and humanitarian.