KELSEYVILLE >> At his 90th birthday celebration, Rev. Don Dyne said he had much to be thankful for, especially friends and family who filled the Kelseyville Senior Center in his honor on Saturday, April 9.
One by one, Don thanked a long line up of guests who he said added meaning and joy to his life. “Since arriving in Lake County, 19 years ago, my life has been enriched with the love of many people I am proud to call friends.” The crowd listened intently as Don delivered personalized messages of thanks and appreciation. Then, as guests lined up — sharing their stories and characterizations of a man they knew as a veteran, intellect, adventurer, provider, partner, stepfather, role model, mentor, spiritual leader and friend — a portrait of service to country and community emerged.
Punctuating the many stories, a timeline of achievement against the Center wall chronicled Don’s rich and diverse background including two tours in the U.S Navy as an electronic technician, first in WWII from 1944 — 1946 then again during the Korean War, from 1951 — 1952.
Don earned degrees in Engineering (BEE — Bachelor of Electric Engineering) and Ministry (MDiv — Master of Divinity). Prior to coming to Lake County, he worked for many engineering companies, including major corporations such as Bendix Aviation, ACF Industries and General Motors, where he headed up a unit in their Defense Research Laboratories in Santa Barbara. Don was also self-employed as an Engineering Consultant for many years. Most recently, up to his 89th year, Don worked for Naptech Test Equipment Inc., in Lower Lake.
As evidenced by his travels and ownership of “motorized mediums” Don also found time to play during his long life. “I’ve traveled to 17 countries and had some fun along the way,” he said. Pictures on display of some of the 5 airplanes, 15 sports cars, and 15 motorcycles Don owned, maintained and operated were evidence of that.
Don was ordained in 1976 as a Unitarian Universalist minister by the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. In 2000 he and his wife, Gail, together with Kathy and Peter Windrem, founded the Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County, which meets at the United Methodist Church in Kelseyville.
“I’ve found there’s more to life than work and play. From my time in the military to officiating over hundreds of marriages, memorials and funerals, I have derived tremendous personal satisfaction in serving my country and community,” Don said.
He closed by saying “It’s been an incredibly exciting and fulfilling 90 years. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my life and I’m not through yet!”
Don lives in Kelseyville with his wife Gail, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. He has four children, two stepchildren and is active with his church and local community radio where he serves as board operator on his wife’s program, Conscious Connection.
