Obituary of Donald DeFrance Welt

Mr. Donald DeFrance Welt, dearly beloved father, grandfather, mentor and friend passed peacefully on August 31, 2017 at age 94. Don was born in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended the State University of Iowa and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with the class of 1947 and served aboard the USS Davison and the USS Bass prior to assignment to the staff of the Commander, Naval Forces Western Pacific. A shore duty assignment in 1948 took him to Washington, DC where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Marnie. They married on June 25, 1949. Don also pursued his law degree at Georgetown University, and was admitted to practice in Iowa and the District of Columbia in 1952 but practiced only briefly. He was in the Navy Reserve from 1951-53. In 1957, he and his family moved to Rochester, NY for a job with Stromberg-Carlson. In 1961 he founded Rochester Instrument Systems, Inc. Don successfully grew the company into a leader in industrial instrumentation and it became a major exporting firm. In 1978, RIS was acquired by TransUnion Corporation, and in 1981 he was named President of Taylor Instrument, a subsidiary of Sybron Corporation. Taylor was acquired by Combustion Engineering and he remained as President until his retirement in 1987. He continued consulting and mentoring small to medium businesses and served on several boards of directors. Don was an avid golfer and a long time member of Oak Hill Country Club. He also enjoyed many deer and goose hunting trips over the years and was an owner in the Whaleback Preserve Club. He has been a contributor to the Memorial Art Gallery and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Don and Marnie traveled extensively, both for business and pleasure. Don will forever be cherished as a loving husband and provider, father, grandfather, and friend. He could be counted on for counsel, quick wit and good humor. He will be so missed. He is predeceased by his wife Marnie, brother William Welt, and sister Dorothy Haefner. Don is survived by his children, Mark (Susan) Welt (Charlotte, NC), Michael Welt (Falls Church, VA), Anne (Rich) Chappo (Westport, CT), Susan Welt (Rochester); and 4 terrific grandchildren, Stephen (Charleston, SC) and Kristy Welt (Charlotte, NC), Andrew and Jacqueline Chappo; many nieces and nephews. Friends may call Tuesday, September 5th from 4-7 PM at Miller Funeral & Cremation Services, 3325 S Winton Rd. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, September 6th at 11 AM at St. Louis Church, 60 S. Main St., Pittsford. Interment at White Haven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may contribute to the MCC Foundation, Memorial Art Gallery or Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra