Donald Gerton Harter, 84 of Holmdel, the founder and president of Harter Industries, died Monday at Riverview Medical Center. He was the husband of Lois (Essex) Harter for 62 years. He graduated in mechanical engineering from Brown U. Extension, in R.I. Early in his career, he was part of the team at Kelvinator that pioneered the modern defrostless refrigerator. He then contributed to the development of the early air conditioning systems for automobiles at Borg Warner. He was lead engineer for the start-up of multiple refrigeration companies for about two decades. Over the past thirty years he has been a pioneer in the field of Solar Energy designing solar collectors. It is likely his designs have collected more solar energy than any other solar collectors. For the last 20 years he has owned Harter Industries that manufactures solar pool heating systems. He served as President for the Board of Health for the Township of Holmdel, and was a member for approximately ten years. He was also active in the Deep Cut Orchid Society. He restored antique cars for a hobby, and won many awards for his 1910 Stoddard Dayton, and 1913 Lozier. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. In addition to his wife, Don leaves two children Dr. Donald J Harter, and Dr. Linda Harter Anz. He has five grandchildren, Kristina and Lindsay Harter, and Lisa Anz Persons, Marq and Adam Anz. He also has five great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association or the American Heart Association.