Donald M. Roswurm 1924–2025
Don M. Roswurm was born to Elmer and Lola Roswurm in Long Beach, California in 1924, where he and his sister Ramona attended local public schools, graduated from Wilson High School and subsequently lived most of their lives. After retirement, he and his wife, Harriett, left Long Beach to share time between residences in Leisure World and Palm Desert.
Shortly before turning 18, Don joined the Navy’s V-12 officer training program, spending time at Missouri Valley College, Midshipman School at Notre Dame University, and several Officer Training Programs. He was subsequently assigned as a Deck Officer aboard the USS Rendova (CVE 114). Upon release from duty in June 1946, he continued his college education at Long Beach City College and then Pepperdine, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1949.
Just prior to enrolling at Pepperdine, Don met Harriett Middlebrooks, beginning a four year courtship that would culminate in their marriage in 1951. Their first child Donna was born in 1953; three years later Linda was born. Family and church activities were always big in Don’s life. He and Harriett were actively involved in various levels of youth church programs sponsorship as their daughters moved through those levels of activity. He was involved in youth and junior Sunday school teaching, senior high and college social programing, and three youth eastern high sierra backpacking trips that involved some 25 hikers on each trip.
Other church related activities during Don’s 40 years at Eastside Christian included multiple terms as an elder, presiding as president of the congregation, serving on four pastoral search teams, chairing twice. He led Sunday School classes for adults, became instrumental in setting up “Loving Care Groups.” In 2000, Don and Harriett moved their membership to Grace Community Church in Seal Beach, where he served as a “Stephen Minister” for eight years and performed many volunteer activities, including mentoring.
Shortly after graduating from Pepperdine, Don accepted a professional position in the Weapons Quality Engineering Center at Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, where his work involved determining the serviceability of a wide variety of naval munitions. During his 32 years there, he advanced through a series of positions, the last five years of which serving as deputy director of a division tasked with assessing serviceability and reliability of Navy’s submarine launched ICBMs. Upon his retirement, he was asked to serve as a consultant, which he performed for six years.
Don’s interests included: square-dancing, travel with family and friends within the continental U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico, Alaska and cruises, social events both in homes and at church, a small weekly Christian study group, golf with friends and buddies at Long Beach courses, at the club in Palm Desert, Hawaii, and at Leisure World Seal Beach, where he aced two holes one day in a 2005 tournament, Bridge games any time, but especially after a day of golf with other church couples at places like Alisal, Singing Hills, Carlson Oaks and Hawaii. He was also a huge railroad fan, whether it was a full-scale or model, like the extensive HO-gauge layout he had to dismantle when he and his wife decided to move from their Long Beach residence in 1989. A railroad highlight was a surprise birthday adventure in 2016 by his family where he was privileged to operate a full-scale steam locomotive (including levers, gauges, whistle and bells) for an hour on a lengthy private spur at the Orange Empire Railway Museum. Even family members who were along in the cab enjoyed the ride and the experience.
After suffering many serious falls in their Leisure World home, Harriett, the love of his life for 73 years, left him to take her place in heaven in early 2021. Don continued to live alone, feeling that he’d been blessed with a long, full and happy life. During his 100 years, he’d always sought to keep himself balanced in his relationship with God, family, others and self.
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