1929-2021
It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Donald Wald on April 26, 2021. Don had an active and fulfilling life and will be deeply missed.
Don was born February 7, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to Fred and Gertrude Peters Wald. He later moved to and graduated from high school in Crystal Lake, Illinois. After graduation, he enlisted in the army and was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas and White Sands, New Mexico. He was then transferred to Ford Ord, California. He quickly rose through the ranks and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargent at the age of 18, one of the youngest in the army.
After discharge, he enrolled at the University of Illinois and studied architecture. His studies were interrupted during the Korean conflict when, as a reservist, he was recalled to active duty. He was assigned to the First Radio Broadcasting and Leaflet Group, a psychological warfare unit, where he designed propaganda leaflets that were air dropped behind enemy lines.
After being discharged from the army for the second time, he completed his architectural degree at the University of Illinois in 1954. He then worked for Creative Buildings Inc. in Urbana, Illinois, a company that specialized in prefabricated commercial buildings. Don designed the building components and assisted local volunteers and contractors to build prefabricated churches, which were then erected throughout the country.
While constructing a church in North Dakota, Don met his future wife, Cynthia, while on a blind date. They subsequently married in Urbana, Illinois on April 5, 1958. While on a field assignment in California, Don and Cynthia decided to relocate to the Monterey Peninsula, where Don had fond memories of the area while stationed at Ford Ord. When they first moved to the Peninsula, Don worked for Monterey architect William Concolino, where he was the project architect for schools, medical, and commercial buildings.
In 1963, Don opened his own architectural firm in Pacific Grove. Some of his early projects were the Sally Griffin Senior Center, the Gateway Center, and the addition to the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum. In 1970, he relocated his office to Monterey. His firm was responsible for the design of over 2,000 buildings on the Monterey Peninsula. He retired in 1994, after selling the firm to two of his associates, Henry Ruhnke and Frank Dost. They expanded the firm of Wald Ruhnke & Dost to become one of the largest and most successful architectural firms in central California.
Don’s interests included downhill skiing and classic automobiles. He spent many happy winter days on the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe. He restored a 1941 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan, which was his pride and joy.
Don’s activities included past president of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Construction Specifications Institute. He was past president of the Carmel Ski Club and a 38-year volunteer for Meals on Wheels. He was a director of the Kiwanis Club of Monterey, the Sally Griffin Senior Center, and the Pacheco Club. He was chairman of the Pacific Grove Architectural Review Board, a member of the Carmel Area Land Use Advisory Committee, and a member of the Marina Design Review Board. He was also an exam writer and grader for the California State Board of Architectural Examiners. Don received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Monterey Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 2004.
Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cynthia; by his daughters Tina Wald (Matthew Goeckner) and Kerry Wald-Ziemann (Todd Ziemann); and by his six grandchildren – Kyle, Neil, Kevin, Alex, Claire, and Ella. His brother, David Wald, passed in 2008.
He will be remembered by his family for his resilience and strength, his passion for helping others, his sense of humor, and his many funny stories. He had great love for his wife and family. More than anything, he enjoyed getting the whole family together for meals and celebrations. His grandchildren have many good memories of times spent together exploring the Monterey Peninsula. In addition to his family, Don had innumerable lifelong friends. Whether this was via his architectural firm, Meals on Wheels, the Kiwanis Club, or any of his other myriad and boundless activities, Don seemed to know everyone on the Peninsula.
The family would like to thank the Carmel Foundation and the staff of Sunrise of Monterey for their wonderful care and support during his final years.
Don’s family and close friends will celebrate his life with a ceremony at El Carmelo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula, 700 Jewell, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18