Donald Race

Donald Henry Race, 84, of Pawleys Island, S.C., died Aug. 6. He is survived by his wife, Ellen D. Race.

Born March 25, 1923, in Crystal Lake, son of the late Niles B. and Edith Thomas Race, he was a 1941 graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale. A veteran of World War II, Donald served in the Navy from 1942 until 1945 as a pilot naval aviator. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1951 and was discharged from the Navy Reserve as a lieutenant in 1961.

He served as the district sanitarian for Pennsylvania Department of Health from 1951 to 1953, and worked as the field director for the Dairy Products Improvement Institute, in association with Cornell University, from 1953 to 1959. Donald was the director of quality control for the Dairymen's League from 1960 to 1969, and served as the director of quality assurance and labs from 1969 to 1979. He was the quality control director for the Dairylea Corp. in Syra- cuse, N.Y.

During his professional life, he was very active and received numerous awards. He was the editor of the New York State Association of Milk & Food Sanitarians newsletter and annual report for eight years, past president of the New York State Association of Milk & Food Sanitarians, past chairman of New York State Farm Practices Committee, recipient of the Dr. Paul B. Brook Memorial Award and the Emmet R. Gauhn Memorial Award and served as a member of the International Association of Milk, Food and Environmental Sanitarians. Donald also authored numerous articles published in food and health professional journals. He was the author of the "History of the New York State Association of Milk & Food Sanitarians 1922 – 1993."

He was the first president and founding member of the Syracuse Flying Club, a certified flight instructor and held commercial pilot ratings.

Donald was a member of American Legion Post 178 in Murrells Inlet, S.C.; docent of Prince George Episcopalian Church, Georgetown, S.C.; and was a member of Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed golfing and boating.

Also surviving are a son, Air Force Col. (Ret.) Mark Race and wife, Pat, Asheville, N.C.; a daughter, Kathleen R. Miller and husband, William, Powell, Ohio; three grandchildren, Kimberly Verdi, Charlotte, N.C.; Kelly Garcia, Okinawa, Japan; and Christopher Race, Asheville; two great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Charles Payne, Seven Valleys; and William Payne, West Olive, Mich.; two stepdaughters, Elizabeth Middleton, Staunton, Va.; and Laura Neff, Charlotte; and a brother, Jack Race and wife, Catherine, of Crystal Lake.

Graveside services were held Aug. 9 at Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Arrangements by the Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, Murrells Inlet. .

Published in Scranton Times on Aug. 16, 2007