I first met Don in 1965 when he was assigned to work with me in North Carolina as a field rep with McGraw Hill. During the next few years, Don and his first wife, Donna became great friends with my wife Leslie and me. His son Steve and our son Michael were born within a month of each other and Catherine and our daughter Jennifer followed soon thereafter. After I left M-H and moved to California, we lost touch. Don was always a special guy, fun, interesting and intelligent. Leslie and I were so sad to learn of his passing.

Don had a unique and incisive mind that went to work quickly whenever he was given a complex issue to address.  But then he could shift geers in a second and engage his rich sense of humor to find all the silly and ironic aspects of the same issue.  Truly a special person that made us both think and laugh very deeply.  He had both a generous and delightful spirit.  Both he and his enormous dog will be missed on Monroe Street.

I just heard that Don passed away. He bought my parents farm. He always talked about my mother and father Delbert and Virginia Haring and how nice they were. Dad would mow the grass at the farm for him.  It was a blessing to me that he was such a nice person and let me visit the farm. I will miss are yearly talks around deer season.

I went to grade school with Don. Then on to New Trier. Did not see much of Don from then on. Don was a nice guy as I remember and moved on into life. Just so happens that I forgot all about Don until a friend mentioned of his passing. How time passes and how names are remembered. I'm saddened for Dons family and close friends. Bill Klatte

He was always personable and very fun to talk with at the dog park. His medical problems never intruded on his sociability when he was with us there. An insightful conversationalist who added to any trip to the dog park.

He must have been a great man to have raised such a great son. Our prayers are with you all.

I met Don at the dog park and we always got a good laugh out of my 30-lb dog attempting to mount his Saint Bernard. Don was great to talk to about life in general and, of course, Northwestern football. He was a good friend and I will miss him.

Don struck me as one who was amused by life, even when life threw him curve balls.  His smiling demeanor will be missed. My condolences to his family and friends.

Three years ago, on February 2nd, Don and I met for coffee. Both widowed, we discovered immediately and throughout our years together, that we had more in common than either of us could ever imagine (including an ancestor  Miles Standish) and our dogs (he with well-known Max and Tucker and me with my aging basset, Mojo). We both had spent time in the publishing world, both English majors, both interested in psychology and leadership, our farms, I could go on.

I discovered his enormous intelligence, his infectious sense of humor, his sensitivity, his determination and great courage in going through extraordinary challenges which included changing from one successful career to another  mid-life.

His passion for his students at Northwestern, the women's softball and the football teams were all-consuming. We had a great season this fall, going to almost all of the home football games  so much fun  watching him totally engrossed in every play. And then the time I went with him to a women's softball game  utterly amazing. Every time he drove through Evanston to Wilmette and back, he'd take Sheridan Road past NU, to see how the kids are doing.

He possessed an extraordinary memory for the wide variety of subjects he took interest in and voraciously read books about.

His courage and determination through his final illness was extraordinary.

I am honored to come to know his wonderful children who he talked about so often; and to have had my son, Ben and daughter-in-law, Mich (a Phd candidate at NU  ) meet those children. The opportunity Steve and Cathy have given me to go through pictures and memories of his earlier life, is a great gift.

I will miss him and his profoundly. Show them how to do it Don, in the place you now are.

With my love, to my bestest friend  and my condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, students, neighbors .......

The whole Prentiss  family is in my thoughts,  heart, and prayers  during this difficult time of loss. Don's sweet spirit even in his last days of pain and poor health still shone through. He will be so missed by his family and friends...rest in peace dear Don. Sending thoughts of comfort  and good memories to Steve, Cathy  and all the family.

Don was a major influencer in my life as my TEC chair in the 80s and 90s.  He was a mentor, advisor, coach and role model, but most of all, a caring friend.  I am deeply saddened with his passing and express my deepest condolences to his family.  --Richard Gilbert, Wilmette and St. Petersburg, FL

One evening last summer Cindy had Don and me and and Mich and Ben to dinner. It was a single evening but so filled with pleasantness, fun and good conversation that I'll always remember it.

One of my favorite cousins. Always had a smile and a laugh. He was 11 years older than I am, so I guess I knew him for 64 years.

So sorry to lose such a good friend. Will miss him dearly during turkey and deer hunting at his get-a-way farm in Elizabeth. Our deepest sympathies to his family.

Almost fifty years, Don. Your '52 Pontiac. Lots of teenaged memories. Tower Road Beach. Fritz and me. Duke. Danny. The skybox party at Soldier Field. The fact that you met Harriet. Someone I knew from another life. You two were meant to be. We kept saying let's do lunch like there was all the time in the world. And now it turns out, there wasn't. I will always miss you, my friend.

When we moved to this block in 1989, Don & Harriett's dog was Bert, a good-sized and energetic Lab, I think.  Our dog and he became friends and robust playmates - Bert and Bernie!  That is the setting where we first met Harriett and Don, and his affable and amiable nature.  He will be much missed in our neighborhood.  May he rest in peace.

I have known Don for nearly twenty years. We met through my wife who was a fellow grad student at Northwestern. Over the years, we shared many meals and great conversations.

Five years ago, I had the great fortune to move next door to Don. This was great because, the one thing that perpetually challenged Don was all things electronic. Being next door made it very easy to respond to an S.O.S. call when the computer or TV didn't work.

In many ways, Don was my role model. He taught me how to become a consultant and was often a sounding board for a difficult client situation. 

I will greatly miss a dear and valued friend.

To his family -- you have my deepest sympathies!  A huge loss to so many, but so much so for you all.

I believe that every person has a 2-3 key people in their lives that show up for them at pivotol points and give them direction and support to keep them on the right track. Don Prentiss was one of my 2-3. He was my career counsel, life coach and friend. There are so many times he kept me from making a mistake or pushed me out of my comfort zone. Wow I'm going to miss him so much. 

We didn't spend a lot of time together, but I always knew he was there. Any success I achieved in my career (and life) is due to Don Prentiss. He was the best kind of guy there is!! I'm heartbroken.

We at the dog park first knew Harriett as she brought Max to the park every day. As we grieved the loss of Harriett, we welcomed Don as a new friend when he took over the daily visits. After Max passed away two years ago, Don adopted Tucker and continued coming to the park. Don loved watching sports with his dog nearby on the floor, his 3 cats on the sofa with him, and often with a glass of wine or a beer as well. He was such a warm, friendly man. He will be sorely missed. Deepest sympathies to the Prentiss clan.

My prayers are with the Prentiss family and I am so sorry for your loss.  He was one of my instructors in grad school and a great mentor.  I spent many a Northwestern game chatting with him and Harriet.  He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Donald Keith Prentiss

17 May, 1940 – 22 January, 2016

Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home

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