Colonel Don Arthur Lindbo (USAF Retired) flew west to meet his Maker on 15 November 2023. He was born in Devils Lake, N.D. on 19 July 1938 to Hazel (Maloney) and Arthur Lindbo of Rolla, N.D.  Don was raised on the family farm until he was in 6th grade when his family moved into Rolla. No matter where he travelled in his life, he always carried the prairies of North Dakota in his heart.

Don attended school in Rolla where he received his High School diploma in 1956 and entered the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. There, he received a degree in Petroleum Engineering and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. It was at UND he met Beverly Severson who was to become his wife. They were married for 60 years.

While in college, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta social fraternity as well as other campus organizations. He played trumpet in the Phi Delta pep band that played for Fighting Sioux home hockey games. His love of the cold and his sense of humor sustained him during the bitter cold winter games. At UND Don joined the Aero Club where he was able to fulfill his love of flying. On December 7th, 1962, Don received his AF pilot's wings at Reese AFB, Texas, launching a 26 year military career where he had 5200 hours in the C-130 as well as time in the T-39 aircraft. His graduation from pilot training was one of the proudest moments of his life.

One week later, on December 15th he and Beverly were married in Grand Forks, N.D.  After 3 months of training in the C-130 in Tennessee, they left for Tachikawa AFB, Japan where they were stationed for 3 1/2 memorable years.  While there, Don flew extensively throughout the Far East and logged 200 combat hours in Vietnam.

Upon his return from Japan, Don was stationed in Langley AFB, Va. While they lived in Hampton, they were blessed with two beautiful children, Christopher and Carrie. The children have been the joy of his life.  Two years later, Don was reassigned to Vietnam. On April 1st 1970 their family was reunited and they left for a four year tour in Germany. They returned to the States in 1974 and made several more moves around the country before retirement. It was during this time that Don received his Master's degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.

The dream of Don's life was to become the commander of a flying squadron. After several flying assignments, that dream came true when he assumed command of the 41st Tactical Airlift Squadron at Pope AFB in 1979.  His squadron went on several months' long rotations to Europe during his time with them and always excelled at the assignments given them. Next, Don was assigned to Scott AFB where he worked in MAC Headquarters.

Don retired from the Air Force in 1987, and began his second career with Boeing Aircraft in Long Beach, Calif.. There he worked on the C-17 program. Boeing transferred him to O'Fallon, Illinois to work with the Air Force on the C-17.  He and Beverly built their dream home in the country just outside of O'Fallon and planned to stay put for a change.

Don's priorities were clear. God, family, country. His church, Shiloh Church, became the focal point of the Lindbo family life. Don served on many committees and was part of the men's club.

He worked for Daedalic Industries, for several years but found retirement more enticing. He retired for good and played golf, and enjoyed his garden. He and Beverly were part of a dinner group of very special friends for many years.

Don loved to travel, and he and Beverly enjoyed exploring the United States. If there was a battlefield in the area, they always stopped to visit it. Don loved to read and concentrated on Revolutionary and Civil War history. He also read the Bible faithfully and found great peace in that. He loved music. He and Beverly had season tickets to the St. Louis Symphony for many years. Don also enjoyed sports and loved a night at Busch Stadium watching the Cardinals. His main love was the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team however. He and Beverly would travel to North Dakota in the dead of winter to watch the Sioux win.

Don is survived by his wife, Beverly, his son Christopher, daughter Carrie Catherine and son-in-law Peter Pinson, and grandchildren, Chad and Rachel Lindbo and Matthew and Thomas Pinson. Also surviving are a sister, Joan Hall, and brothers Harlen Lindbo (Clara) and Larry Lindbo (Judi) and extended family members.

Those who knew Don thought he was brave when he joined the Air Force and flew into a war zone. They thought he was brave when he went through Army jump school and jumped out of airplanes. They thought he was brave when he went through military survival training. But none of us knew the depth of his bravery until we saw him fight his battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy. The patience and dignity he displayed as he dealt for years with the day in and day out loss of his ability to use his body and his voice was truly inspiring. He never complained. He never asked "why me." He never questioned God. Don Lindbo was a man of courage and integrity who will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be at Shiloh Church, 210 S. Main St., Shiloh, Ill. on 27 November, 2023. Visitation will be 1 PM and the service will begin at 2 PM.  Refreshments will follow the service.

Memorial donations are suggested to Shiloh Church in Shiloh, Ill. or to ProMedica Hospice.