Oct. 10, 1926 — July 16, 2017

Lon Blauvelt Sr. passed peacefully on July 16, 2017. He was born on October 10 1926 to Dr. Harold and Agnes Blauvelt in Brooklyn, NY.  Due to his father’s work with the DuPont Company the family transferred quite often.  Lon was drafted into the Army in 1945. He served in the Philippines until 1946 and returned stateside serving in the US Army Reserve.  He worked on the Alaskan Highway as a site engineer.  In 1948 Lon enrolled at LeHigh University to study Civil Engineering.  At LeHigh he was one of the founding members of the Delta Chi fraternity chapter. In 1950 Lon was called up for the Korean War. Due to combat injury he served most of his duty in Tokyo Japan.  In 1954 he returned to the states and finished his degree at LeHigh.  He was fortunate to marry Joan Mayo in January of 1954.  They raised 4 kids together.  The majority of their family life was spent in Niles Michigan where Lon served on various committees including the Boy Scout Troop 71, Niles High School Boosters Club (He was named wrestling Dad of the year.  No one could sit next to him during matches due to his moving as much as the wrestlers), and United Way Chair.  Both Lon and Joan enjoyed square dancing, playing bridge, skiing, fishing, golf, and travelling. Lon’s career included Engineering positions at Proctor and Gamble, Simplicity Pattern Company, C.T. Main (Boston) and the University of Southern Maine.  Some of his favorite projects during his career were the building of the new plant for Simplicity, being assigned to build an expansive paper plant in South Africa and the building of the library building for USM. After retirement Lon learned how to craft and repair bamboo fly rods.  This became his passion.  He eventually began to teach the craft and designed and patented a planing form which he sold to craftsmen around the world.  He taught over 100 students and loved every second of it. He was a very talented man. Lon is survived by his wife Joan of New Albany, IN, his son’s Lon Jr. (Tara) Davisburg, MI, Lee (Nona) Lansdale, PA, Van of Augusta, ME, and his daughter Jyl (John Robbins) Floyds Knobs, IN. and ten grandchildren.  We miss you Dad. Memorial gifts may be made to the Boy Scouts of America.