DONALD O. COVAULT

Obituary of DONALD COVAULT Donald O. Covault, 90, of Altoona, Florida, died Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Lakeview Terrace. He was born April 19, 1926 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Orville and Celeste Blaising Covault. He grew up there and graduated from Central High School in 1944. He often told anyone who would listen that he was such a bright child that his mother called him "Sonny". After high school, he attended Purdue University, earning a BS in civil engineering in 1948, and a MS in 1950. He worked 5 years for the Wisconsin State Hwy. Dept. until returning to Purdue for a PhD in 1958. He then accepted a position as a professor of civil engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, where he taught PhD candidates until his retirement in 1987. While at Purdue, Don met his wife Donna Hendrickson, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They married on September 1, 1951, in Wilmette, Illinois. Don, an unrepentant class clown, says they had a formal wedding and painted the shotgun white. Don and Donna were camping enthusiasts, starting with an old canvas tent and gradually progressing to a 34 foot Airstream trailer. They eventually traveled to all seven continents- yes, they went to Antarctica. When they decided to "settle down" they chose Lakeview Terrace in Altoona, Florida. Don also enjoyed music, eventually mastering soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorder; classical and folk guitar; dulcimer; and bass violin. Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Covault, and infant daughter Delores. He is survived by his wife Donna; children Nancy Longworth (Richard) of Indianapolis, IN, Carolyn Echols (Hugh) of Augusta, GA, Steve Covault (Joyce) of San Diego, CA, and John Covault of Buford, GA; eight grandchildren: Adam Longworth, Faith Hoosier (Jordan), Nathan Longworth (Melissa), Jacob Longworth, all of Indianapolis; David Echols, Sara Richards (Jonathan) of Brunswick, GA; Amanda Covault and Christopher Covault of Buford, GA; five great grandchildren (including the ones in the oven); his sister June Kemp of Ft. Wayne, IN; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be Friday, July 1, 2016 at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Eustis, Florida at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be private in Atlanta, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the Red Cross.

DONALD O. COVAULT

April 19, 1926 - June 26, 2016