Obituary of Donald R. Spink

SPINK, DONALD R. 

March 11, 1923-February 1, 2019

Passed away in his 96^th year.  Beloved husband of Helen Forrestel Spink who predeceased him on February 25, 2018. Donald was born in Buffalo, NY the son of Edward and Alma (Johnson) Spink.  He lived his early years in Rochester, NY with siblings Kay, Bob and Steve.  He graduated from East High School in Rochester where he excelled in track, cross-country and gymnastics.  He earned his BS degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1945, his Master’s degree from the University of Rochester in 1949, and his PhD from Iowa State University in 1952.  He served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant, active duty 1943-1946.  His Industrial career included Amax Specialty Metals Inc., the Carborundum Company and General Electric Company from 1946 to 1967.  Near Valentine’s Day in 1946 he eloped with Helen, the younger sister of his college roommate.  The family lived in East Amherst, NY, for many years until their move to Waterloo, Ontario in 1969 where Don became a professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo from 1969 - 1988.  While a professor, he started Turbotak Technologies in 1976, a company that capitalized on wet scrubbing technology he developed at the university.  He was a school board member in Williamsville, NY, a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Chemical Society, the Electrochemical Society, the Atomic Industrial Forum and the American Management Association. Don wrote published articles about reactive metals like titanium, hafnium, zinc and zirconium and was a contributing author of books about metallurgy, rare and refractory metals.  He also had more than a dozen patents regarding metal processing, air pollution technology and others. He loved to travel, was a coin-collector, and avid golfer. In later years he attended Grace Mennonite Brethren Church, enjoyed many summers at Chautauqua Institute, and was a great supporter of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.  He believed he was “living the dream” and taught us that love is the best medicine, proving it with a long marriage of 72 years. He has now joined Helen, the love of his life.  Don leaves a legacy of strong support and great success to his family: 6 sons: Bob (Arly), Tom (Bobbe), Dave (Prudence), Rick (Pattie), Ed (Shannon) and Bill (Claudia, deceased) Don was the grandfather of 15: Aaron, Katie, Laura, Jennifer, Julie, Jeannie, Kali, Dan, Jill, Helen, Michelle, Jessica, Robyn, Lauren and Ryan and the great grandfather of 19 with one more on the way!. Special thanks to the wonderful caregivers and staff at the Village of University Gates and previously the staff at Luther Village.

Friends and family are invited to share their memories of Don with his family during a visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. The Funeral Service will follow at 4 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel. Reception will follow in the Fireside room. Condolences for the family and donations to Alzheimer’s Society may be arranged through the Erb & Good Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.