Donald B. Hunter 1928-2013

Thanks for letting us know.

Don was a very talented person whom i can say i have the privilage to meet several times.
His family will be in our prayers.
-Christenbury Family

I have attached a picture of Don and 111 back in 08

Glad to say I had the privilege of meeting Don a couple times and got to talk with him at length about his #111 at the BSOT. That machine and Don's skills are impressive just looking at it, but even more so when you know everything he went through to build it. Him allowing me to drive it is something I have and will continue to cherish. A tremendous loss to the antique Cat community.

Thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family.

Dave

To all of Don's family.
My thoughts and prayers are with and for you at this sad time.

To the ACMOC community.
I had the privilege of meeting Don on several occasions and of driving the Holt # 111 replica in 2011 at Woodland. I also helped to load it on to Garlic Pete's float at Woodland and unload it at Paso Robles. This machine is more than just a replica. It is a work of art and a lasting memorial to Don and his abilities. Don was a master craftsman, a brilliant researcher of hard-to-find information and extremely dedicated to his projects. He was also just as dedicated to his family and friends.

The last couple of times that I spoke with Don, he would have liked to have seen the restoration of the Hornsby steam crawler at least under way but that has not yet happened.

R.I.P., Don. You have earned it, M8.

Just my 0.02.

I would like to offer my condolences to Don's family, I was lucky enough to meet him and his Son when I was in California
back in March this year, thanks to Tom Madden for arranging for my friend John and I to go and visit Don and take a look
at the Holt 111 steamer it is truly a work of art and a credit to Don's skills, his legacy will live on for future generations to
see and admire.

It was a privilege to have met you Don.


Richard Gilman.

I am saddened to here of his passing, I had the pleasure of meetig Don several times during my tenure with the club functions. RIP. Ron Meeder

I am blessed to have known Don and see his craftsmanship on #111. Both of my sons were able to ride 111 both at Woodland '08 and at Santa Margarita '10. They talk about going for a ride on Don's steam crawler often. Don, you will be missed and we will keep all of the Hunter family in our prayers!

I have now had 12 hours to digest the news of Dons passing early this morning. I have lost one of my very best friends and a mentor that will never be replaced. When I walked into Don's shop in Ontario in 2001 I had no idea what an incredible friendship would develop.

Don was born about 25 miles north of my hometown. He lost his dad before he had the opportunity to know him. He graduated from Cal Poly about 25 miles south of my hometown. He was idolized by so many men of my generation because of his gentle nature and his willingness to go the extra mile to do or explain the complex in a very simple manner. To Don creating was like you and me taking a walk. It was just that simple to Don. As we would marvel at #111 he would just say that he did it to experience the power of steam. To us it was like talking about the Mona lisa with da Vinci. We were in the presence of a master and it was no big deal to him. He always attempted to divert attention away from his accomplishments and focus on you or something that you had done. His modesty was so genuine that you could not help but love the guy.

I am so lucky that I got to spend so much one on one time with Don these last 11 years including 5 very magical hours on his last Sunday. The loss of Don to so many of us is like loosing your own father again. When I called and spoke to many of our friends in their 50's, 60's and 70's today and informed them of Don's passing most were moved to tears. There are not many in ones lifetime that have such a profound impact on your own life. We shall miss you my friend until we meet again.

Hi, Tom.
There was one comment that I was going to add about Don when I posted this morning but forgot in the rush to get to work. He was one of Nature's gentlemen with the manners and courtesy of times gone by and not nearly as common among today's young folk but he was still fully in the present too.

I will treasure the all too short times that I spent chatting with Don, sometimes - though infrequently - about # 111 but also - and more often - about his desire to be involved in the restoration of the Hornsby steam crawler. Sadly, it was not to be. I think the project would have been good for him and I think he would have been MUCH better for the project.

Thank you Tom for the notice of the passing of a wonderful man. Although I did not know him as you did, I had the pleasure of his company on several occasions. He always struck me as being a well earned member of "The Greatest Generation." An immensely wise and talented man, he was also kind and considerate. My sincerest condolences to his family, his friends and to you Tom. May he rest in peace with God's blessings.