Donald Van Eynde

Donald “Don” Frank Van Eynde, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, soldier, professor, and mentor, died peacefully at home in Blanco, Texas, on July 3 following complications from a fall. He was 87.

Born on September 7, 1937, in Chicago to Frank Maurice and Nellie Bernice (Rader) Van Eynde, Don knew from a young age where his heart truly belonged. At age 10, he told his father, “When I grow up, I’m going to do three things: move to Texas, marry a Texas woman, and have a ranch.” Two out of three came true—and to Don, that was more than enough. “I just absolutely loved Texas,” he would later say. “This is where I was meant to be.”

Before settling in his adopted home, Don served his country with distinction for 20 years with the U.S. Army. His military career began after joining ROTC while studying forestry at Michigan State University. Commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation, he found purpose and fulfillment in the rigor, discipline, and camaraderie of military service, particularly as an Army Ranger.

Don completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, in 1963 and 1970, serving first as an advisor to South Vietnamese Rangers and then as assistant chief of staff to the Fourth Infantry Division. He earned multiple commendations, including a Silver Star for valor and five Bronze Stars. He went on to serve as a military advisor to U.S. ambassadors in Portugal and at the United Nations, and he held numerous stateside leadership roles, including assignments at the Pentagon, as a battalion commander at Fort Lewis, Washington, and as executive officer for the Organizational Effectiveness Training Center. After attending Command & General Staff College, he earned his master’s in Speech Communications and Human Relations from the University of Kansas.

After retiring from the Army in 1980 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Don’s next chapter was shaped by a deep desire to teach and mentor the next generation. Encouraged by a friend and faculty member at Teachers College, Don earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and joined the Trinity University faculty in 1984. What began as same-day hiring turned into more than three decades of service to the Trinity community, where he taught organizational behavior, leadership, and human resource management with energy, insight, and integrity. He also served as chair of the Faculty Senate, chair of the University’s Crisis Management Team, and was a trusted advisor to four University presidents. In 2011, he earned the prestigious Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship for excellence in teaching. Though officially retired in 2014, he continued to be involved with Trinity in numerous capacities, including teaching one course each Spring semester from 2020 through 2025.

Don was also an editor, consultant, and thought leader in organizational development. He served on the board of the National Organization Development Network, edited its journal, OD Practitioner, and co-edited Organization Development Classics: The Practice and Theory of Change, a cornerstone collection in the field. He consulted for more than two decades with NASA, including on the Space Shuttle Management Team.

His commitment to service extended into every aspect of his life. In Blanco, Don was active in the Rotary Club, helping it transition from satellite to full chapter; he also served as president of his landowners association. A devout Catholic, he led and served on multiple church committees in Boerne and Johnson City, most recently as vice chair of the Pastoral Council and chair of the Men’s Club at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. He also volunteered with Blanco Elementary School.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Dixie (Cody) Van Eynde, and their children: Noelle Van Eynde (Dustin Myers), Austin Van Eynde, and Holly Van Eynde. He is also survived by two children from his first marriage to the late Jill Curbo: Deborah Van Eynde, with daughter Angela (Jeremi) Smith and grandchildren Aurora and Charlie, and with son Andrew Robledo; and David Van Eynde, with daughter Brittany and late grandchild Peyton Gonzales.

Don was surpassed in death by his parents, and his brother, Roger. He is also survived by his sister Lynn Snider, with son Robert Denkewalter, Jr. and granddaughter Ally, and with daughter Jorie (Don) Lingner and son Jake Stockmann, and with daughter Kim (Clay) McKinney and son Michael Rodriguez, Jr.; and brother Doug (Nan) Van Eynde with daughter Emily (Geoff) Gilbert, and granddaughter Alexandra.

A Catholic Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Johnson City, Texas, on Saturday, July 12. A rosary will be held at 10 a.m. and a mass at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Additionally, a celebration of Don’s life will take place at Trinity University’s Parker Chapel on Saturday, August 9, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow. Attendees of this celebration will be invited to share their stories of Don and reflect on the many ways he shaped their lives as a teacher, mentor, leader, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of choice or the Trinity Fund in memory of Don for the forthcoming Donald Van Eynde Scholarship Fund. Gifts can be made online, (https://give.trinity.edu/campaigns/59509/donations/new) or by mailing a check to 1 Trinity Pl, #49, San Antonio, TX 78212. If you have photos or memories to share, please send them to Noelle Van Eynde at [email protected].

The family extends heartfelt thanks to all who supported them through the years, including family, many friends and colleagues, and especially Abel Espinoza, Marcos and Julie Ortiz, and Laura Porras.