Fichter, Donn S.

ALBANY- Donn Fichter, 84, died Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Minneapolis in 1926, he was the son of Dr. William L. and Evelyn Fichter. Donn was raised in Providence, RI. He served in the Army from 1944 to 1946, then returned to Providence to continue his education at Brown University. He was a graduate of Brown and Northwestern University, where he received mechanical and civil engineering degrees. Donn was an inventor, a tinkerer, a public transportation enthusiast, a great walker, and a philanthropist. From 1953, Donn developed the idea of personal rapid transit, culminating in a book published in 1964. While in Chicago, Donn met and married Margallen Hanna, with whom he shared 44 happy years until her passing in 2002. A job as a transportation planner and researcher at NYS Department of Transportation brought them to Albany in 1965. Donn retired from DOT in 1990.

Donn is survived by son, William (Renee) of Delmar, daughter Liz Hanna (Hank Olzak) of East Nassau, and grandchildren Shelby, William, Joel and Gavin.

A memorial service will be held on December 18, 2010 at 10:00 am at the Albany Friends Meetinghouse, 727 Madison Avenue. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to WAMC, 318 Central Ave. Albany, NY 12206, or a charity of one