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Former Kadena Chief passes away

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John S. Hutcheson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Team Kadena lost a dedicated Airman and a good friend Aug. 4 as Chief Master Sgt. Michael P. Donoven passed away with his family at his side in Little Rock, Ark. after a long battle with illness.

Chief Donoven retired June 9 as the Superintendent of the 18th Mission Support Group, culminating a distinguished 25 years of service to the United States Air Force.

"I and Team Kadena are saddened by the passing of Chief Donoven," said Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, 18th Wing commander. "He was a tremendous leader, professional, husband and father. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this extremely difficult time."

Chief Donoven is remembered by friends and co-workers as a proud family man and a leader with integrity who was not afraid to speak his mind. His boss, former 18th Mission Support Group Commander, Col. Kelly Fletcher, said the Chief's eye was always on doing what was best for the mission.

"He was upfront and honest, and that is what I cherished the most," said Col. Fletcher. "He let you know what he thought and why. If it came to a mission issue, the focus wasn't on a particular squadron or group but what was the right thing for the Wing and Team Kadena mission."

At Kadena, Chief Donoven was responsible for the welfare of an enlisted force of more than 1,250 Airmen. According to Col Fletcher, the Chief took his role as a mentor seriously and always kept the needs of his Airmen at the forefront.

"His mentorship was unrivaled, and without great fanfare. He was the first to laugh at himself in order to encourage others," said Col. Fletcher. "He always had a funny story that had a lesson embedded within. He was focused on others, not attempting to highlight himself."

Chief Donoven grew up in Cedar Hill, Missouri, and entered the Air Force in June 1985. He served in various positions in Supply and Logistics Readiness throughout his career and was a two-time Group Chief Enlisted Manager. He served tours in California, New Mexico, Arkansas, the Azores and Okinawa. He also deployed in support of operations Provide Comfort, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

According to friends, Chief Donoven's devotion to the Air Force was surpassed only by his love of his family. He is survived by his wife Kattie, his son Keith, and his daughters Amanda and Sarah. His pride in his family was evident to all those who worked with him, according to Chief Master Sgt. Kyle Clement, 18th Force Support Squadron Chief Enlisted Manager and a good friend of Chief Donoven's.

The chief was so proud of his oldest daughter's SAT scores, he posted them on his door for months, said Chief Clement. He would also often recite his youngest daughter's first words.

"He confessed on numerous occasions that he was the luckiest man in the world to have married a wife as beautiful, talented and caring as Kattie," said Chief Clement.

Funeral services are scheduled for Aug. 7 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. Chief Donoven will be interred at the Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in North Little Rock on Aug. 9.

For those wishing to send flowers, the family has requested they be sent to Ruebel Funeral Home located at 6316 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Chief Donoven's friends honor him through contributions to the charities that he supported, including the Air Force Enlisted Village (www.afenlistedwidows.org) 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar, FL 33579 or the National Down Syndrome Society (www.ndss.org) 666 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10012.

Those who knew Chief Donoven are encouraged to share your memories of the chief by either commenting on this story or sharing your thoughts on Kadena's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kadenaairbase.