Donald Hunter - Obituary

n Dec. 30, 2009, Donald Earl Hunter died peacefully after losing a valiant battle with a rare form of leukemia in Annapolis, MD. Beloved husband of Patricia Flipse Hunter, father of Kristen Hunter Ruhlig and Stephanie Hunter, he is also survived by sister Jane Hunter Hughes, and many other family members and close friends. A resident of Annapolis for 33 years, and recently of Clearwater, FL, Don was born in Chicago, IL, on January 13, 1941, son of Earl Milton and Florence Sterzik Hunter. He attended high school in Oak Park, IL, holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas, and a master's from the University of California-Berkeley. He served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy during two tours in Vietnam, receiving seven combat decorations including the Bronze Star. Don was President of Hunter Interests Inc., an award-winning real estate development and consulting firm based in Annapolis, whose clients included local governments, public development organizations and large and small developers. Formerly co-owner of Zuchelli, Hunter & Associates, Inc., Don founded Hunter Interests in 1986 and conducted independent consulting assignments nationwide for over 38 years. His firms' combined experience as developer and economic consultant was unique in business and commanded respect from development companies and financial institutions throughout the country. Active for two decades in several national professional organizations, Don was a director of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the International Downtown Association (IDA), and the American Planning Association (APA), which recently recognized Hunter Interests with their highest award for the best economic development project in the nation, for its Medical Mall Feasibility Analysis in Prince George's County, MD. He was a frequent speaker on real estate trends and leading edge development and finance techniques, and received recognitions and many other national awards during his long career. Locally, his civic service included the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees for the independent Key School in Annapolis. A celebration of Don's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Donald E. Hunter to the Moffett Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Drive UTC-FOUND, Tampa, FL 33612-9416.