Donald Pitts Shattuck

June 22, 1926 - June 6, 2017 We can show you his picture here, but what we cannot share here is his laugh. He was best known by his deep, infectious, hearty laugh, and happy disposition.

He was born in Albany, and grew up in Albany and Rensselaer with his parents Robert Morris Shattuck and Agnes Wicks Shattuck. As a young boy, Don became an earnest fan of Lou Gehrig and the Yankees.

He graduated from Van Rensselaer High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Navy as soon as he could after WWII started, getting his doctor to fudge his eye exam so that he could serve. He became an Electronic Technician, and was assigned to serve on the USS Harold C. Thomas, Destroyer Escort 21, in the South Pacific. He served onboard in the Combat Information Center, using his skills with electronics to work with radar, sonar, and communications. After the war, he attended college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, starting by studying in the night program while working during the day. After doing well, he was admitted to the day program, where he earned a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1951. Upon graduation Don took a permanent position, working at GE for his entire professional career.

During that time he met a nursing student named Monica (Mona) Wallace, who caught his eye on a double date. After a time of courtship, they were married December 29, 1951. They had three children, Donna, David and Daniel. They bought their first home on Washington Road in Scotia in 1956. He worked in Building 37, famous for the lighted "GE" sign in Schenectady, and then in 1962 he was transferred to Erie, PA, where he worked for six years on locomotives and car equipment. They returned to Scotia in 1968, and bought a fixer-upper on Seeley Street. They made that house a home, while Don was working in Corporate Research and Development on projects such as the early development of computer controlled home appliances. After his retirement in 1986, Don and Mona sold their home, and bought an RV. They travelled throughout all the contiguous states except Connecticut and Rhode Island, often visiting their grandchildren, Kate Eidens (now Walter), Kendra Shattuck (now Salas), Eric Eidens, and Luke Shattuck.

His beloved wife, Mona, passed away on February of 2009. He is survived by his three children, these four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

His was a life epitomized by service. For many years he worked faithfully on the USS Slater, a destroyer escort historical ship in Albany. He joined Scotia Rotary in 1979. Being a Rotarian offered him camaraderie and the chance to contribute to a wide variety of projects in the Scotia area. His Paul Harris Fellow pin was delivered to him by his Rotary friends on the day he died, serving as a fitting cap to a life of service to others. He will be remembered as one who shouted "Come again!" with gusto and sincerity.

Don Shattuck was loved by a wide variety of people. His ready laugh and happy demeanor captivated everyone he met. His grandchildren called him Gramps; one mistakenly pronounced it Grumps, a name as far from his nature as could be imagined. Don had a friendly approach to all. He passed from this world to meet his Lord, Jesus Christ, peacefully and quietly, with his family around him. His faith and his membership in his cherished Saint Andrews Episcopal Church in his adopted home town Scotia sustained him right until the end.

Don would be honored if you remembered him by with a donation to The City Mission of Schenectady (citymission.com), or to Saint Andrews Episcopal Church of Scotia (jesuschristny.org), or to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum (ussslater.org).

A memorial service will be held at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church at 50 Sacandaga Road, in Scotia, New York, 12302, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

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