Donald B. Butterfield

Donald B. Butterfield, 86, of Wilbraham, passed away at home on July 26, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Florence, MA on May 12, 1930, to Roy E and Myrtie (Buck) Butterfield. He moved to Ludlow, MA in 1943 and graduated from Ludlow High School in 1948. He received his Bachelors Degree from Northeastern University and his Masters Degree from Western New England College. His education was interrupted in 1952 when he entered the U.S. Marine Corps, First Headquarters Div, serving in Korea until he was discharged in 1954. He and his future wife, Isabel Gardner, met in Ludlow Jr. High and began dating when they were 14 years old. They were married at Union Church of Christ in Ludlow on December 2, 1950 and celebrated their 65th anniversary with a large party on December 12, 2015. Together they raised 5 children, Scott Butterfield (deceased in 2004), Linda Butterfield (fiancee Nena Kopy) of Chicopee, Lori (Michael) Pacholski of Longmeadow, Glenn Butterfield of Wilbraham, and Lisa (Richard) Walch of Palmer. He leaves 2 cherished grandchildren, Cameron and Delaney Walch. He also leaves his sister Ruth Frauendorf of CT and his brother Richard Butterfield of SC.

His entire working life was spent at American Bosch, of Springfield, where he rose from Draftsman to Engineering Manager during his 38 years. He was a member of SAE during those years, serving as Chairman for a period, and was honored to be on of 2 U.S. Engineers to serve on the World Standards Committee for several years, traveling the world to meet with Engineers from many countries, to set Engineering standards. He was a talented portrait artist using the medium of pastels and enjoyed woodworking and repairing things, all his life. In his earlier years he sang solos in the Ludlow High School Glee Club and in the choirs of his Ludlow and Longmeadow churches.