David C. Mitchell, 89, of Terre Haute passed away at Wednesday afternoon, August 5, 2015 at his residence. He was born October 4, 1925 in Appleton, Wisconsin to Waldo F. Mitchell and Lillian Gladys Rippetoe Mitchell. David was retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors from Bolivian Power Company, Ltd., a Nova Scotia company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Survivors include his loving wife of 67 years, Geraldine (Jerry) Penman Mitchell; a sister, Roberta Mitchell Deagan Kierce and her husband, Bill, of Lafayette, Indiana; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Howard W. Mitchell; and a sister, Margaret Mitchell Beecher. David attended Garfield High School in Terre Haute and graduated from University High School in Bloomington, Indiana in 1943. From 1943-1945 David served in the United States Army Air Forces with the rating of Aerial Navigator. Attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, he assisted pilots with navigational coordinates and information for B24 bombers. After his service in the Air Force, David continued his education and attended Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. David graduated in 1948, and was also the recipient of an Honorary Degree in Engineering from Rose. Upon graduation he worked as a distribution designer for Detroit Edison in Detroit, Michigan and later was selected to be a member of the design team that designed and engineered the first atomic engine to be used in a submarine. The submarine known as the "Nautilus" was constructed by Westinghouse Corporation in Groton, Connecticut and was commissioned under Admiral Rickover. David's business career involved working with companies and subsidiaries of Bolivian Power Company, Ltd. in Cincinnati, Ohio, all of whom were formerly owned by Canadian International Power, Inc. While working in the head office of the company he was appointed by the Bolivian Government to serve as Honorary Consul for Bolivia for the areas of Ohio and Kentucky. He was an active businessman and community leader in Detroit, Michigan; Baldwin Borough, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; La Paz, Bolivia; San Salvador, El Salvador; Monterey, Mexico; Barquisimeto, Venezuela; Montreal, Canada and Georgetown, Guyana. He retired as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Immediately after retirement, David joined SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Additionally, he served as President of the United States Chamber of Commerce of Bolivia in La Paz and President of the American Society of El Salvador. David also was active in local communities having served on boards of directors of various churches and Rotary International clubs in Oruro, Bolivia, San Salvador, La Paz, Montreal, Cincinnati and most recently in Terre Haute. David was the recipient of Rotary's Paul Harris Fellow in many of the clubs he was a member. In Terre Haute he became active with and served on the Board of Directors of the Terre Haute Symphony Association where he also served as President of the Board; founded the SCORE chapter of Terre Haute and served on the Board of Directors of Swope Art Museum. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church since 1931 and had served on many church committees. Additionally, David was a member of the Consular Corps of Cincinnati, Indiana State University President's Society, Board of Trustees of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Country Club of Terre Haute. Funeral services will be conducted at 6:00 P.M., Monday, August 10, 2015 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street, with Reverend Mel Camp officiating and a special eulogy given by Mr. Craig McKee. Private burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled prior to services on Monday from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. in the funeral home. The family kindly requests that memorial contributions may be made to Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, 619 Cherry Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807. Funeral information may also be found at www.callahanandhughes.com .
