Don Curtis Hohenstein

Don passed away after a two and a half year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. His family wishes to extend their gratitude to all members of his care team in Oncology, Radiation, and other departments at the VA, University of Washington, Fred Hutch, and Evergreen Hospice. Don appreciated their kindness, humor, and directness when necessary. His family encourages you to get tested early, often, pay attention to the changes in your body, and don’t let your concerns wait.

But that is how he died. His family really wants you to know how he lived…

“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts...”

-“As You Like It” by William Shakespeare

A fixer of all things, incredible spatial ability, a talented barber, a tinkerer of recipes - Don Curtis Hohenstein was born to Harriet Hope Hohenstein (nėe Riggs, 1918-2003) and Wilbert (Bert) Frederick Hohenstein (1916-1984) on March 24th 1947. He lived a very full life and was a true Pacific Northwesterner through and through. Don was born in Aberdeen, grew up in West Seattle and Renton, and finished his life in Mountlake Terrace. Don had two siblings, Gary and Barb, whom he loved very much. In his childhood, his siblings and other neighborhood kids would explore all the state had to offer, regularly going on bike rides or walks between Renton, Seattle, and West Seattle spanning 10-20 miles or more. There are stories, too, of them ocasionally spending the night out in the wilderness, even one night sleeping on a cliff! Gary and Barb continue to live in Washington. Don was grateful to get to continue his loving relationship with his siblings and their spouses, Carin and Jerry, throughout his life.

After High School, he entered the military and served four years in the Navy. When he returned to Washington, he held a whole host of jobs - owning a 7-11, owning a butcher/seafood shop, working at Boeing as a parts distributor, doing deck building, managing/booking movie theatres (including, but not limited to, the Northgate and Neptune movie theatres), and much more. But his most significant adventure after his military service was pursuing acting classes and becoming a prolific Seattle actor, performing on stage and screen all throughout the region. You may have seen him in Rainier Beer, JC Penny, and a variety of other local ads and commercials, a video that played at The Museum of Flight for many years, and in small parts of movies of the week for CBS and Lifetime such as “Child in the Night” (starring a young Elijah Wood) and “Better off Dead” (starring Mare Winningham). He also had parts in the major motion pictures, “Harry and the Hendersons” and “Francis.” On stage, he got his start at Highline Community College, taught, took classes, and acted in projects as Pasqualini/Smith and Freehold, and regularly performed at Seattle Theatre Project, West Seattle Totem Theatre, The Lyric Theatre and Conservatory, among others. Some of his credits included “Bells Are Ringing,” “The Time of Your Life,” “The Heiress,” “Blood Wedding,” “Grand Hotel,” “Thinking Man’s Motel,” “Orpheus Descending,” and “The Memorandum.”

He took great pride in his work, but the aspect of Don’s life he was most proud of was his family. Don held every member of his family closely. Whether they were his direct relatives, in-laws, or friends that felt like family, Don cared so deeply and always checked in to make sure all were happy, healthy, and felt loved.

In 1968, he married Theresa Jean Voigt (nėe Porter, 1948-2018) and had two children, Mary and Derek. They were together as the children grew into adulthood, creating a loving home, attending their football and softball games, and sharing their love of music. Don had a special relationship with music - everything from Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, swing and jazz in all its forms, to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, America, and everything in between. Music deeply moved him, lyrics and melodies filling his soul and really allowing him to feel. He passed this gift to his children.

In 1994, Don married Teresa Jo Kennedy and they had one daughter, Serena Hope. At this point, Don became a stay-at-home Dad. He walked Serena to and from elementary school and packed her lunch every day from Kindergarten to Senior Year of High School. He was a volunteer assistant coach for most of her basketball, soccer, and softball teams. And he introduced her to stories that would be so influential in her life such as “Bewitched,” “Little House on the Prairie,” and countless movie musicals.

A treasured memory all the children have in common with their Dad is of playing catch one-on-one. An avid Seattle sports fan, Don enjoyed watching the Sonics, Seahawks, Storm, Kraken, Huskies, and Mariners. Don and his children were able to attend a Mariners game together earlier this season and witness a win against the Astros! #TridentsUp!

Don also adored his six grandchildren (Sydney, Avery, Cole, Devin, Meira, Austin), their significant others (Corey, Brandon, Rilee, and Noah), and four great-grandchildren (Melody, Nokomis, Daniel, and Emerson). His face would light up any time they were around. The grandkids loved spending time with their Grandpa Don. He would take their stuffed animals and use them as puppets, creating extraordinary voices for the characters he created. He encouraged dress-up, imagination, and play. As they grew older, the grandchildren noted that his house was a place of warmth, safety, security, and love. This was a special thing for his children and children-in-law (Derek, his former wife Monique, current wife Jennifer, Mary, and her husband Shawn) to witness and experience. A place of pure love for their own children - they couldn’t ask for anything more.

Don also had a special bond with Teresa Jo’s siblings, Tim, Tom, Tina, and Tara as well as their children (his nieces and nephews), Margaret, Lydia, Sam, Coen, Gemma, Sadie, Luke, and his grand-nephew, Hendrix. Though many interactions were over video call and by letters as those family members live in the Midwest and New Zealand, he treasured every one. Don was grateful to have Gemma live with him and Teresa for a year - he so enjoyed their time together watching movies, doing puzzles, and having great chats at the dining room table. Don’s family would also like to share their particular gratitude for Tara and Tim who have walked their own cancer journeys and stood right beside Don through his.

Don’s mind was also always full with his love and care for his friends. He was lucky to be loved by such incredible neighbors - the Dahlstroms, the Deens, the Kirks, the Wileys, and the Wilsons. He also loved Joyce, Don, their dog, Clementine, and Tracy and E-Ray, as well as their respective families.

An avid movie and history lover, Don could often be found glued to a film on TCM and would pause it until you were free to watch a scene he was in awe of. Alternatively, you might find “The Curse of Oak Island” on, a program he shared a love of with his late father-in-law, Dick Kennedy (1935-2020).

When Dick passed, Teresa Jo and Don welcomed Teresa’s mother, Judith (Judy) Honour Kennedy, into their home. While Teresa was at work, Don aided in Judy’s care - getting her out of bed, helping her with daily tasks, and making meals. They also enjoyed their time together by playing games, tending to their deck garden, and feeding the birds, squirrels, and raccoons. They had a strong bond that will never be forgotten.

The family would also like to thank Judy’s caregivers - Blessing, Alondra, and Yaitza - who, while not officially in their responsibilities, gave oodles of love and support to Don at various points in his cancer journey.

Throughout the two and a half year cancer battle, Don’s wife, Teresa, stood strongly by his side. Even before then, Teresa was his rock - simultaneously tethering him to what’s most important and integral to him, while also challenging him to keep becoming his best self. Don thoroughly enjoyed the small getaways he and Teresa went on. He often raved and showed pictures of their trips to Mexico, Las Vegas, Canada, but most treasured was their recurrent stays on Guemes Island right here in Washington. There, they took walks, basked in the glorious sunsets, and enjoyed the simple quiet of each other’s company. Near the end, Teresa became Don’s primary caregiver. Even as the cancer began to effect, and eventually overtake, his brain, Teresa and Don remained in sync. The love was everflowing - a wink, a handsqueeze, a reminder in the toughest moment that he was loved, we knew we were loved, and it was ok to move on. Her strength and love carried him to his next adventure.

Don had an amazing sense of humor and whimsy that could be tailored to whomever he was speaking with. To his family’s delight, this lasted through his final days. His joy and love will continue to live on through all who were named above, and through everyone who was ever lucky enough to be loved by him, or even just share a smile.

If you are interested in making a donation in his memory, please consider the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, The Prostate Cancer Foundation Home Run Challenge, and/or your favorite local non-profit theatre.