Donald Karl Ljungblad
September 30, 1939 ~ June 26, 2026
Born in:
Chicago, Illinois
Resided in:
Elk Mountain, Wyoming
Donald Karl Ljungblad, 86, of Elk Mountain, Wyoming, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. A distinguished marine mammal specialist and a pioneer in the study of Arctic marine mammals, his life’s work left an indelible mark on the fields of bioacoustics and the conservation of endangered whale species.
Born in Chicago in 1939, Donald dedicated his career to understanding the complex behaviors of marine mammals, including the Blue, Bowhead, and Gray whales. For many years, Ljungblad served as a leading researcher at the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC) in San Diego. He was instrumental in developing innovative techniques for the aerial survey and acoustic monitoring of bowhead whales in the Beaufort, Chukchi, and northern Bering seas. His passion for marine mammals took him around the globe, with research expeditions spanning from the Arctic to the Antarctic, Tasmania, the Middle East, Costa Rica, and Mexico. His work provided critical scientific data that informed environmental policy and helped safeguard marine life in sensitive ecosystems worldwide. His extensive collection of underwater sound recordings remains a vital resource for the scientific community. The recordings are archived at the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Though Don lost a leg before the age of 20, he refused to let adversity define him, charting a course for a remarkably vibrant, grit-filled, and adventurous life. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, he became a passionate U.S. certified diver who found peace and profound beauty beneath the waves. Whether navigating the surface or exploring the depths, the ocean was a constant anchor in his life. He crewed in numerous Class A yacht races, navigating legendary courses to Ensenada, La Paz, and Manzanillo, Mexico. Driven by a lifelong passion for the sea, he crewed aboard the Pacifica during the grueling 1971 Transpacific Yacht Race, navigating the 49-foot yawl 2,225 miles from Newport Beach to Honolulu.
Don’s deep connection to the American West was evident in his unique craftsmanship, community spirit, and a profound respect for the land. He meticulously restored historic sheep wagons, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a deeply knowledgeable historian with an immense understanding of Native American history and the heritage of Wyoming.
Don held a deep affection and respect for his friends and neighbors in Elk Mountain, Wyoming, and was a proud contributor to the Elk Mountain Museum. More than a brilliant scientist and a sailor, Don was a devoted father, husband, and loyal friend, a man of quiet strength whose legacy of service, enduring curiosity, and untamed adventure will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Pijanowski, and his daughters, Tonja Coates (Steve Coolidge) and Tammy Ljungblad Wainwright (Brian Wainwright). His extended family includes Keegan and Torre Coates; Sacha Coates and Jon Torres, and their daughter Mika; Brett and Vika Wainwright; Rich Pijanowski and Beth Kimzey, along with Nicole (Will) Watts; Mike and Suzy Pijanowski, along with Michael Pijanowski. Mark and Monica Pijanowski, and their son Chris; Mitchell and Kelsey Pijanowski and their son Bodhi. He also leaves his beloved dog, Bridger.
The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Dr. Scott Kono and his care team at UCHealth in Denver, as well as the exceptional nursing staff at Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, for their compassionate care.
A celebration of his life with his family and friends will be held on August 22, 2026 in Elk Mountain, Wyoming.
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I had the good fortune to meet Don Ljungblad, when we crossed paths in Nome sometime in the mid 70’s. He was at that time doing survey work in a Turbine Goose amphibious airplane. They were based for a while out of Nome, working the Bering Sea. In subsequent years I got directly involved with Don while operating as his pilot in the U.S. and Canadian Arctic. Always the consummate professional, Don was so easy going and fun to work with even in the most demanding situations. I feel absolutely privileged to part of his crew for three consecutive seasons. We had some amazing adventures exploring the Arctic and observing the marine wildlife. Numerous hunting adventures with Don and the great folks he knew in Wyoming will forever be some of my fondest memories. Rest in Peace my friend, you had an amazing and fulfilling life.
I had the pleasure of sailing with Don on NOAA’s first dedicated beaked whale acoustic cruise in 1995. Our mission was to discover what sounds are made by beaked whales. Don was invited to come and bring his marine mammal acoustic expertise. Don brought his beloved kit of old, surplus sonobuoy equipment. Although sonobuoys did not turn out to be the right tool for the job, that was the start of the SWFSC’s use of sonobuoys for marine mammal research. As many have said before, sailing with Don was a pleasure. He had an endless store of annecdotes about his previous adventures and was a consumate story teller. We in the marine mammal acoustics community will sorely miss him. He is a legend.
Jay, Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing this. My dad truly was a consummate storyteller, and I’m so glad you got to experience that side of him out at sea. Hearing about his work with the sonobuoys and the legacy he left behind brings us a lot of comfort. We appreciate your kind thoughts more than you know.
Best regards, Tammy Ljungblad, Don’s daughter in Lenexa, Kansas.
Don Ljungblad – I have to laugh!
Starting in 1996, I sailed with Don on several IWC Antarctic minke whale survey cruises aboard the Japanese research vessel Shonan Maru II. He would bring a mountain of electronic equipment that nearly plugged his stateroom/work space – boxes of wires and gizmos piled up everywhere; it looked like an anarchist garage sale! In the evenings, we would drop a sonobuoy over the side, so he could record blue whale vocalizations. Then, up in his room, he would toss his prosthetic leg up on his bunk, and while he checked for acoustic blips on the screen, we’d sip a beer (or so), and he would regale me with an unending litany of his maritime adventures. I recall one particular evening, off the southern end of Madagascar, when he handed me his headphones and flipped off the light. In the darkness, a lone humpback, miles away, was calling into the night; a huge, plaintive moan, booming in the deep, that seemed to be saying “I’m here.” When he turned the light back on, Don gave me a wry little “That’s why I am an acoustician” grin, and we popped open another one. That was the most moving whale encounter I have ever experienced, and it still raises the hair on the back of my neck just writing about it. Whenever I think about Don, I remember that whale we shared, and I have to laugh. Here’s to you, buddy – save me a seat!
Robert,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share that wonderful story about my dad. It truly captured his spirit perfectly and brought a smile to my face. Your kind words mean a lot to our family right now. Best regards, Tammy Ljungblad, Don’s daughter in Lenexa, Kansas.
Oh, Don… you have the power to amaze me (and sometime infuriate me!) with your light-hearted approach to life. I was both disappointed (and relieved) to be on the ‘other’ ship in the Antarctic. My work may have been a bit cleaner for that separation, but my journey was surely less lively! I so greatly appreciate Don’s help working with sonobuoys on those Antarctic surveys, and then later at our lab in La Jolla as we tried (and tried and tried) to recreate his (in)famous ‘Don-O-Buoys’. Whether pinging me to come (now!) to pickup trashed buoys from his boat or random messages about creative ideas– I always appreciated hearing from Don. You always brought a smile to my face, and I’m sorry I never got my family out to see your ranch. Your delightfully mischievous ways hold a special place in my heart.