Donald C. Siegla

Donald Carl Siegla

(1937-2020)

Donald Siegla, 82, our beloved father,  passed away peacefully on November 1, 2020 in Asheville, NC, at Solace Hospice Center.  We are saddened by our loss, but grateful for the many years that we shared with him.  He was a wonderful, loving  father.

Dad was born on November 25, 1937 in Cincinnati, OH.  He grew up on a farm in Southern Ohio, where he lived with his parents, Carl and Clara Siegla (both deceased), and his younger sister Marilyn.

He is survived by his daughters, Melanie Lint (significant other-Greg), and Sherry Siegla (significant other-Rodger).

Also survived by his sister Marilyn (Ron) Davis, as well as many nieces & nephews, and cousins. Dad's best (animal) friend  &  beloved Golden Retriever, Jake, and his cat, Spooky, also survive, and miss him, like we do.

Dad graduated from Tri-State College (now Trine University) in Angola, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959.  He attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he received his MS in Mechanical Engineering in 1961, and his PhD in 1963.

Dad worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Frigidaire in Dayton, Ohio, General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, and GM Powertrain in Pontiac, Michigan.  His career with General Motors spanned more than 40 years.  He moved to Asheville, NC after he retired from GM.

Don was a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and a long time member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Don was a member of St. Eugene Catholic Church in Asheville, NC.  He enjoyed taking a variety of classes at the College for Seniors at UNC-Asheville.  He also taught a class for Seniors on Automotive History.

Dad loved animals.  Over the years, he cared for many dogs and cats.  Dad and his dog, Jake, were inseparable.  Each day, they enjoyed a walk,  followed by a trip to McDonald's, and a plain hamburger for Jake.

Dad loved collecting old cars, and attending old car shows.  He was particularly interested in his red Corvair, a black Studebaker, a gold Avanti,  and a beige Cord.  He showed some of his vehicles in car shows in Michigan and North Carolina.  A favorite car show was the annual Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village, in Dearborn, MI, every fall.  Dad was also interested in old John Deere and Massey-Ferguson tractors.

The family would like to thank the nursing & medical staff at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC for the thorough care that they provided for Dad.  The oncologists who cared for Dad, as well as the Palliative Care Team at the Hospital were very helpful, informative, & caring.  Don spent his last several days of life at an amazing facility called Care Partners Solace Hospice Center,  in Asheville,  where he received very compassionate and skilled comfort care, prior to his passing away.  It was a very warm, and peaceful place.  Thank you to those caregivers as well.

Private Services for the family are entrusted to Mueller Funeral Home in Mason,  OH.  Dad will be buried, next to his parents, at Union Cemetery in Symmes Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the animal shelter of your choice, in Dad's memory.