Voss

Dr. Donald H. Voss, 82, of Mechanicsburg died peacefully Wednesday at his home with his wife of 56 years by his side. To his last day, he never surrendered to the cancer that claimed his life.

Dr. Voss was born on June 2, 1927, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the son of the late Henry and Grace (Smit) Voss. His mother emigrated from the Netherlands at age 11.

He received his undergraduate degree from Calvin College, a master's degree in education from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Divinity degree from Evangelical Theological Seminary, a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Michigan State University and a juris doctor's degree from the University of Akron Law School.

Dr. Voss taught psychology at Slippery Rock University for more than 30 years, serving as director of the college's counseling center for many years. He took a brief sabbatical from teaching to earn his law degree in 1975. Thereafter, he practiced law, continued to teach and served numerous churches over the years, most recently at Bethany UCC in Butler. In 1991 he received the Outstanding Faculty Member award and retired from SRU as professor emeritus.

He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a longtime board member of the ARC of Butler County and more recently a supporter of CPARC in Mechanicsburg. He was generous in his donations to organizations assisting the poor, the hungry and the disabled.

He attended the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" (Hart) Voss, and his children, Dr. Erica Voss-Meloy and her husband, Dave, of Dillsburg, Doug Voss of Mt. Holly Springs, and Kerry Voss Smith, esquire, and her fiancé, Brian Baxter, of Mechanicsburg. He was blessed with a granddaughter, Caitlyn Smith, who was his pride and joy.

He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Harwin.

Dr. Voss lead an intellectual life, as an avid reader and lifelong student and learner. He was an admirer of Abraham Lincoln, and in his earlier days gave presentations on the wit and wisdom of Lincoln. In 2008, he began teaching himself Spanish, practicing with staff at his favorite coffee shop, the Silver Spring Diner.

He was a Steelers' fan. At various times throughout his life, he was a motorcycle enthusiast. He loved his computer, and he shared jokes and stories with anyone and everyone.

He taught his children resilience, and passed along to them his love of reading, learning and his impenetrable belief of the importance of an education. He was a complex, generous man, hugely influential in the family. He was truly one of a kind.

<B>VOSS</B> — Memorial services for Dr. Donald H. Voss, who died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. that day. Interment will be private at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, immediately following the services.Arrangements are by the <B>Malpezzi Funeral Home</B>, Mechanicsburg.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to CPARC, 71 Ashland Avenue, Carlisle, PA 17013.To sign the online guest book, please visit www.malpezzifuneralhome.com