Donald C. "Don" Cavin

Donald C. “Don” Cavin, 80, of Upper Arlington passed away, February 7, 2013, at Kobacker House, HomeReach Hospice on McConnell Drive, Columbus. Don was born January 14, 1933 in Pontiac, Michigan to the late Donald P. and E. Marion (Pinhey) Cavin. He was preceded in death by his brother, George Edward Pellew “Ted” Cavin. Don is survived by his wife, Anna Lee “Ann” (Robins) Cavin; twin sons, Don R. (Erica) Cavin; Doug H. (Karen) Cavin; grandchildren, Kate and Claire; sister, Dot (Walt) Zahrt; sister-in-law, Jennie (Ted) Cavin; many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special thank you is extended to his caregiver, Amy, and personal trainer, David Zid (Delay the Disease), and the amazing staff at Kobacker House, for their loving care and compassion. Spent his childhood in Cedar Island Lake, MI, spending his summers at his Aunt and Uncle’s farm in Canada, enjoying many good times with his cousins. Graduated from Walled Lake High School (MI) in 1951; enrolled Wayne State University (Detroit, MI), completing his freshman year; volunteered for the Army during the Korean War for 2 years, reaching rank of corporal, 47th Infantry (Viking) Division, 3rd Infantry Division 15th Regiment (Audie Murphy’s“outfit”). After honorable discharge, resumed studies, earning his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from Wayne State. During college was a test driver at General Motors Milford Proving Ground . Joined College of Education faculty at Ohio State in 1962. Part of the team that started Nisonger Center, interdisciplinary clinic to serve mentally retarded and developmentally disabled children. Became Associate Professor and Special Education Director, touching the lives of many students. Member of Head Trauma Clinic. Retired in 1992 as Professor Emeritus. After retirement, Special Education teacher for homebound medically fragile students, Columbus Public Schools. Member of Phi Delta Kappa Intl, Council of Exceptional Children, Association on Mental Deficiency, Chair of Franklin Co Board of Mental Retardation, Program Coordinator--Nisonger, Overbrook Presbyterian Church, OSU Faculty Club, Advisory Board Member--Childhood League. Lifelong distance runner, he also enjoyed, golf at OSU GC, snow skiing and waterskiing. He really enjoyed fishing; especially on lakes around his birthplace and in Canada, Seneca Lake, OH and off the piers in Florida. Traveled by RV, crisscrossing USA and Canada, especially enjoying Southern Ontario and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Enjoyed woodcarving, watercolors, painting, sketching and was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Car enthusiast who could identify year, make, and model of antique cars. He developed his character to treat all persons with respect, promoting the goodness of people. His joy was his family and watching his sons develop into productive men. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2nd, 12 noon, at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Columbus, where family will receive friends for a reception immediately following the services until 3pm. Pastor Wayne I. Nicholson, Ph. D., "The Crossing Community Church", Dublin, OH officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson's exercise classes which Don loved. Checks can be made out to The Columbus Foundation, with a memo of Delay the Disease Foundation, 1234 East Broad St, Columbus, OH, 43205, or at www.columbusfoundation.org. Or donations to Kobacker House c/o Ohio Health Foundation, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. To share memories of Don, visit www.schoedinger.com.