Donald Vetter, age 87, of Salem, NH and previously of Herndon, VA passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving children on February 17th at Greystone Farm at Salem after a lengthy illness. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Peggy (Downey) Vetter.
He was a veteran of WW II and served with the Army Air Corps as a weather observer in North Africa and Iran. After WW II, he returned to marry his high school sweetheart, graduate from college and begin a management career with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). He and his wife then raised their family in Pan Am assignments that spanned the globe. They lived in Guatemala during the 1952 revolution and coup when Donald established the airport in Guatemala City then moved to assignments in Miami, Puerto Rico and Jamaica over the next twenty years. Donald and his family then moved to Agana, Guam, where he was airport manager during the Vietnam War when Guam served as a critical gateway for military cargo and soldier transport. During that time, they also traveled extensively throughout Asia. He ended his 30 year career with Pan Am as Cargo Manager at Dulles International Airport. After retirement, he was publisher of the Herndon Observer newspaper where his wife Peggy was editor and founder.
Donald moved to Salem, NH in 2008 to be near his son and he was an assisted living resident at Greystone Farm at Salem for almost four years where he was loved and appreciated for his dry wit, sweet disposition and wise advice. He received special care from the staff of Greystone and caregivers from Right at Home during his final weeks. His family sincerely appreciates the comfort shown to him.
He is survived by his son Michael and his wife Mary of Salem, NH; son John and his wife Cindy of Pflugerville, TX; daughter Gale Grosso and her husband Robert of Port Deposit, MD; granddaughter Terra Vetter of Brooklyn, NY; grandson John Vetter and his wife Christy and great-grandson Ayden, all of Fritch, TX;
Visitation and funeral services will be at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon, VA with a private burial. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Greystone Farm Resident Council Associate Gift Fund, 242 Main St. Salem, NH 03079 or to the American Parkinson Disease Association, PO Box 138, Londonderry, NH 03053.