Donald Roger Voland, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on June 4, 2025. He was 90 years old.
Don is survived by his loving wife Jeanette (nee Nero), sons Rickie and Jeffery (Barbara) Voland, and grandson John Daniel Schultz. Also left to cherish his memory is sister Judy Helgeland.
In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by dear brother Maurice Voland.
Don’s life begins in Mequon Wisconsin. He was born to parents Emory and Gertrude (nee Goehring) Voland in 1934 and grew up helping on the family truck farm while attending a one-room elementary school. At a very young age his love of aviation became evident as he watched the single engine airplanes flying in and out of nearby Brown Deer Airport. Don’s face would be turned to sky while pulling weeds from the vegetable fields, often prompting his grandfather to say, “Donald, get to work. You can watch airplanes all day Sunday!” – He meant after church, of course. A 4th generation resident of Mequon, Don attended church in Cedarburg just as those who came before him did. The truck farm property remains with the family after 170 years.
Because there was no high school in Mequon, Don graduated from Shorewood High School where in his words, he and the “farm kids went to school with the doctor’s and lawyer’s kids”. He then enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames, IA, in 1952. Determined to join an aero club, Don sold his Cushman motor scooter to help pay for his membership and proudly earned his private pilot license before graduating with a bachelor’s degree. He was then commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force.
In 1956, Don married Jeanette, his beloved wife of nearly 70 years. With a delay in entry into active duty, the newlyweds moved to Minneapolis where Don worked for John Deere until ordered to active duty in June of 1957. After several flight training assignments, Don was awarded the wings of a US Air Force pilot in July 1958, followed by a Survival School assignment and helicopter training.
While in training, and after obtaining the plans, parts, and materials, Don became one of the earliest successful builders of the Benson Gyrocopter. He joined the EAA in its early years, sharing his knowledge and experience for years to come. Don flew his gyrocopter until he donated it for exhibit in the EAA Air Museum in Hales Corners. With fondness and a gentle smile, his wife Jeanette states that “he just loved to fly”.
Don’s active-duty tours as a Captain in the USAF Air Rescue Service took him to Korea, where he flew both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Don didn’t share much about that chapter of his life.
Don and his family transitioned into civilian life when they moved to West Allis, WI, and he accepted the Sales Manager position with Milwaukee Helicopter Airways. He subsequently took a position with Omniflight Helicopters of Janesville, WI, serving 9 years as Chief Pilot until 1972. Then he accepted a position flying pipeline patrol and transport flight duties with the ANR Pipeline Company of Detroit, MI for 11 years.
But Don and his family wanted to be back in Wisconsin, so they moved in 1984 to the new home and hangar they built at Air Troy Estates, a residential subdivision with a private grass runway in East Troy, WI. He then took a 4-year position as Chief Pilot for Security Bank in Milwaukee. In 1986, Don formed his own business, Aero Optics, Inc., basing it first at East Troy airport before moving it to his hangar at Air Troy Estates.
Don’s love of flying always kept him involved in a plethora of activities, he was a very active professional pilot, businessman, and volunteer. In addition to the EAA, he made impactful contributions to many prestigious organizations, both local and national, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Bureau of Wildlife Management. Especially dear to his heart was the OX-5 Aviation Pioneers, of which he was National Secretary. As he received many Special Recognition Awards, Don remained a humble and modest man who was dedicated, calm, friendly, and professional.
Don was perhaps best described by his next-door neighbor when he was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in 2014…
“Don is a family man and a gentleman. He has earned the respect of not only many pilots, but also many others, who also consider him a great friend. He has done more - as a volunteer - than anyone else I know to help many other pilots be safe pilots. And he still pulls weeds in his garden at home”.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 13 at 10AM, followed by a service at 11AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in East Troy, WI (1936 Emery St).
“Here we go!”
-Don’s standard line as he lifted off the tarmac