Donald "Duke" Spittler was born above his father's general store in Lake View, attended Lake View Community School and Lackawanna High School, graduated from Cornell University, served in World War II in the Ardenne and Battle of the Bulge campaigns, received the Bronze Star, remained in the Army Reserve and retired as a Colonel. He married Anne Homen and raised four children, worked as a wildlife biologist for the State of New Yok, and retired in 1986 from the Federal Government. His commitment to community service included serving as Chairman of the Hamburg Conservation Board, President and Director of the Hamburg Historical Society, President of the Lake View Athletic Club, and a member of the Hamburg Planning Board. He was also remembered by generations of children as the man who grew their Christmas trees, a lifelong hobby.