Don was born in Olympia August 25, 1920. His family moved to Portland, Oregon, where he attended Rose Park High School, graduating from Oregon State in 1942 with a degree in Engineering. He was president of Delta Chi fraternity, joined the Naval Aircorp in 1941 as an ensign, and went on active duty following graduation. He married Aileen Rockwell in July 1943 before being stationed for 18-months in the South Pacific during WWII. Following the war Don remained in the Naval Aircorp Reserve for 20 years, retiring as Commander. In 1966 his engineering career brought his family to Mercer Island. He loved sailing, owning several sailboats. He became a restorer of old cars, beginning with a 1915 Model T. He is survived by his wife Aileen, daughter Sue Alexander, grandsons Steve and Scott Alexander, son Bobb and his wife Kathy.
A memorial will be held August 2 at 1:00 PM at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Children’s Hospital Foundation, Mercer Island Guild.
Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Bellevue, WA.
