Donald M. Forney, Age 86, formerly of Troy, Ohio, passed away on April 11, 2016. He was born on October 2, 1929, in Fort Huachuca, AZ. His wife of 43 years, Jeannie A. Forney passed away in December 2010.

After graduating from Texas A&M University, Donald entered the Air Force and served from 1951-1953. He attained the rank of Major and spent his time at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, specializing in metallurgical research.

He was appointed chief of the NDI/E Branch of the Air Force Materials Laboratory in July 1974, successfully directing the tremendous growth of the program developing the technical strategy and programming required. He held this position for nearly 2 decades until his retirement in October 1990. For another two decades after his retirement, he directed NDI contractual programs at UTC, supporting the work of ML, the Air Force and other agencies.

The goal of Nondestructive Inspection/Evaluation – NDI/E - is to determine the functional ‘health’ of a system using examination techniques which don’t damage it. The key things evaluated: 1) is the system working properly: 2) based on its condition, how much longer will it run safely and trouble-free, and 3) what needs to be done if repairs are required? There are many different techniques required to do this – all of them sophisticated; X-rays are an example, which is also used in other fields such as medical diagnosis. The safety of commercial aircraft depends on reliable use of these techniques as well. For the Air Force, Don led the principal technology transition programs which established the base-line inspection techniques used to assure dependable safe operation of Air Force missiles, spacecraft, rockets, turbine engines and aircraft.

Don authored the highly regarded authoritative ‘primary source’ document on the history and application of NDI/E and the contributions of the Materials Laboratory to this arena (NDI History Report). As was his style, Don devoted a full chapter in his book highlighting the people who worked with him over the years.

Don and his family were stationed at Pearl Harbor in 1941. He begins his memoir of December 7th this way: “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share my recollections of one of the most significant experiences of my life when I was, at that age of 12, in the midst of the Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field on December 7, 1941. It has been my honor and pleasure to hear and read excerpts and accounts of that event by some serviceman who were there.…… (Eyewitness to History). Encouraged by his family, friends and colleagues he presented his ‘Eye Witness to History” story at many schools, civic gatherings and the Engineers Club of Dayton (A Personal Account of Pearl Harbor).

Donald is survived by his daughter, Nan (Joe) Conard; son, Robert Forney; sister: Pat (Stan) Curtis; granddaughter: Roselyn; and step granddaughter: Caroline.

He was an honorary member of Pearl Harbor Survivors.  His life and service were commemorated with full military honors presented by the Veterans Honor Guard.