Donald R. Tieken

Don was born to Frances and Wilfred Tieken in St. Wendel, Indiana, on December 24, 1943. He was the second of seven, and he spent much of his childhood caring for his siblings, fighting over the car with his brothers, working on his uncle’s farm, and, as he told his girls, “walking five miles to school, uphill, both ways.” Even with the trek, he was a good student, and he graduated from Mater Dei High School in Evansville in 1961.

Don went on to Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, for three years and then graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1967 with a degree in engineering; he later received a master’s in business administration from Fairleigh Dickinson in Teaneck, New Jersey.

While at the University of Detroit, his roommate, Tim Casey, introduced him to his sister, Sandra Casey. On March 16, 1968, at a noon wedding followed by an almost-St.-Patrick’s-Day reception with green grasshopper cocktails, he and Sandy got married.

The newlyweds first settled in New Jersey and then Allentown, Pennsylvania. Here, in 1979, they welcomed their first daughter, Mara; their second daughter, Chelsea, arrived in 1981. Don’s work in purchasing and logistics for chemical and paper companies—and their spirit of adventure—kept them moving. Later that same year, they moved to Cheshire, Connecticut, and, in 1986, they arrived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1992, they settled in the Atlanta area, where Don lived the rest of his life. After retiring from Riverwood International, he turned to nonprofit work, serving as the executive director of the Dekalb County Habitat for Humanity for several years.

Don took most things in life seriously, including his job: he worked long hours, often traveled internationally to meet clients, and sat through long commutes. But nothing was more important to him than his wife and girls, and his first priority was making sure they were always provided for. He was happiest when the four of them were together.

There are many things that Don wasn’t. He couldn’t dance—though, to make his wife happy, he tried. His jokes weren’t much better than his dancing. He couldn’t cook either, and, when dinner was his responsibility, he served cereal or, on special occasions, popcorn and cheese.

But here’s what he was:

He was an excellent skipper, a strong whistler, a good hider, and a meticulous hair-braider. He could help with math homework. He washed cars. He loved playing golf and completing the Sunday New York Times Spelling Bee. He was an avid card player and had many card-playing friends; his favorite opponent was his mother-in-law—he’d make her a martini and then beat her in gin rummy. He was a proud University of Georgia dad and a devoted UGA fan. In his later years, he was known for his fancy socks. He was generous, funding the construction of five houses for Hall County Habitat for Humanity and supporting the Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program.

He was a good dad, an excellent husband, and a loving brother and friend.

Don’s final years were hard, but he lived them with dignity, good humor (usually), and grace. He showed his family and friends what it means to live life well.

Don was predeceased by his mother and father, Frances Tieken and Wilfred Tieken; his brother, David Tieken; and his mother- and father-in-law, Elsie Casey and Edwin Casey.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; his daughters, Mara Tieken and Chelsea Harrell; his sons-in-law, Andrew Hudacs and Todd Harrell; his grandchildren, Hailey, Hudson, and Elizabeth Veery; his siblings, Dennis Tieken, Becky Richter, Janice Herr, Greg Tieken, and Ron Tieken, and their spouses; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; and his beloved caretaker, Paradise Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Please save the date and join us as we honor and remember our husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Celebrating the Life of Donald R. Tieken will be held at Painted Horse Winery & Vineyard, 13762 Hopewell Road, Milton, Georgia 30004, on October 5, 2026, at 3:00 pm, followed by a Reception at the same location.

Together, we'll share stories, laughter, and memories of a life that touched so many.