Donald G. Symer (1925 - 2020)

Born 1925 in Depew, Erie, New York, United States

Ancestors

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Biography

Donald G. Symer, 94, of Depew, died Saturday, June 6, 2020. Mr. Symer was born in Depew in 1925 to Orten and Florence Symer. He graduated from Depew High School. A lifelong Yankees fan, he started listening to games on the radio as a young boy during the Great Depression.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 17th birthday, serving in combat in the South Pacific during World War II and on active duty stateside for several years. He met first lady Eleanor Roosevelt during shore leave and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet) while serving as an aerographer on a naval ship. When Mr. Symer was recalled from the Pacific theater and invited to join the V-12 Naval Training program, he attributed it to Admiral Nimitz’s possible intervention.

Mr. Symer earned an A.B. degree from Dartmouth in 1947 and a master’s degree in engineering from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth in 1948. After graduation, he married Gloria Erickson, and they raised six children in Lancaster. His career as a mechanical and design engineer spanned decades until he retired in 2012, and he was issued several U.S. patents.

Mr. Symer was an engaged, community minded citizen who believed in transparent, good government serving the needs of all. He worked to promote integrity and accountability from elected officials, participated in countless town board meetings and wrote many letters to the editor. At St. John’s Lutheran Church, Depew, he volunteered in lay activities and taught Sunday school.

Mr. Symer strongly believed in the value of education. He established the Gloria J. Symer Memorial Scholarship at Lancaster High School, which was awarded annually for over 12 years.

Above all else, Mr. Symer’s family remembers his unwavering support, commitment, loyalty and sense of duty, especially in challenging times. A lifelong Democrat, he frequently expressed grave concerns about the loss of national unity and the erosion of democratic, American values.

Mr. Symer is survived by six children, Linda J. Cykert and Robert S., Donald G. Jr., John M., David E. and Derek S. Symer; nine grandchildren and two siblings, Laverne Symer and Joan Chongor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria J. (nee Erickson) Symer, and three siblings, Dorothy, Orten Jr. and Bernice Symer. Private funeral services were held. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials to FeedMoreWNY.

Sources

• 1930 United States Census, Lancaster, Erie, New York, United States
• 1940 United States Census, Depew, Lancaster Town, Erie, New York, United States
• https://www.lancasterbee.com/articles/donald-symer-veteran/