Don has long served his country and the community of Fillmore. This will detail just some of his contributions.
Don was born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. After graduating from Fargo Central High School, he was awarded a Navy ROTC scholarship. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison as a Midshipman, U.S. Naval Reserve. He graduated with Bachelors of Business Administration degree and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in June 1957.

His service in the Navy and to the USA took him to many places around the country and world including Norfork, Virginia; Panama City, Florida; Hawaii; three deployments in Viet Nam; Washington DC; Norfork again; Mediterranean; Command at Sea – based in Charleston, SC; trip around South America; Port Hueneme; and the Pentagon.

In 1972, Don was awarded the Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal with combat “V”. He retired as a Navy Commander on February 1st, 1985 after his first wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. They moved to Fillmore in March 1985. Sadly, Don’s first wife passed away in February 1986.

This lady from Fillmore, “Ruthie” came into Don’s life and they married in 1987. In 1990 when two members of the City Council announced they would not run for reelection, Don took this opportunity to give something back to the community where he lived. This was not something he could easily do during his Navy career. Ruth agreed to help with the campaign and Don soon learned how deep Ruthie’s roots were in the City. The guy who “married Ruthie” rustled up enough votes to win a seat on the City Council. Don served on the Council for 12 years including a stint as mayor. The 1994 earthquake was probably one of the most challenging times for the City but Fillmore came out strong with hard work by Don, the other Council members, City staff, and City residents.

In April 1993, Don joined the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sunrisers and remains an active member of the merged Rotary Club of Fillmore. Don served the club as President (1997-98), secretary/treasurer & Foundation Chair to name a few. Being a Rotarian has provided Don with opportunities to do many projects both in Fillmore an even in international projects. Among Don’s favorite projects has been the provision of Student dictionaries to all third grade students in the Fillmore and Piru schools. Through the years Rotary has given out more than 4,000 dictionaries.

After leaving the City Council in 2002, Don became a member of the Board of Directors of the Fillmore Piru Veterans Memorial District in 2003. He served many years and helped the District obtain several grants enabling the District to pay for a number of repairs and improvements.

Don and Ruth continue to service the community through Rotary and Faith Community Church of which they were part of the funding group.

Don Gunderson is well deserving of Lifetime Achievement Citizen for his many, many, years of service to Fillmore and our country.