In Memory of Don:

The words I am going to write are inadequate in expressing my thoughts and feelings about my relationship with Don.

Don and I worked together for many years. Those times were by far the best years

of my life and career. Don excelled in his work and profession. We did many

projects and traveled many miles together.  It was always a pleasure sharing the road and the work with Don!

Don will be missed by many of us but will be remembered by all of us whose lives he touched.

Thank you Don for the good times, your friendship and for making the world a little better place for all of us.


Don was a founding member of the Rivers and Streams Technical Committee, a group of professionals working on Rivers and Streams across the Midwest and Canada. 

Don was an advocate for stream restoration and he encouraged professionals to collaborate on their work. Don realized a Technical Committee was the best way for information to be shared among those in his field. He knew that when people get together to share experience and provide guidance to eachother, the benefits would ripple outward and reach all the people and wildlife that depend on our rivers and streams.   

Many of us who worked with Don recognize him as a leader in our field, a stream visionary. We are extremely appreciative of the work he has done and the knowledge he has shared with us. 

- Members of the Rivers and Streams Technical Committee. 

Don was a kind-hearted, warm, jovial person in addition to being a consummate professional who pioneered in stream bank stabilization and channel restoration.  He was a joy to be around and always had a kind word for all.

I appreciated the opportunity I had to get to know Don and Dorothy at the Water Survey.  They are such great people.  Dorothy, you have my utmost sympathy for your loss.  Hope we can speak soon.  I was blessed by knowing Don.  

Dave Hullinger

Don was a very highly respected member of the professional Fisheries community in Illinois. His insight and experience has greatly shaped and enhanced stream management practices for the benefit of all. His great smile put everyone to ease. This is a great loss for everyone, but my sincerest condolences are with his wife and family during this painful time!

Dottie and family,
We are  very sorry to hear of Dons passing.  He always had a warm smile and it was apparent that y’all had a dear fondness for one another.  Cherish the memories dear Dottie! He was a kind and gentle soul.

Don was a great friend and mentor to me for over 20 years. His wisdom and good nature will be greatly missed. We spent many wonderful times together traveling Illinois and walking streams. He left a legacy that will remain with me and many others in Illinois as he was truly a pioneer in his field. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for his concern, care and the selfless sharing of time and knowledge that he demonstrated to me over the many years I had the privilege of working with Don. I owe him a great debt that I could never repay, but trust he is receiving his just reward in heaven.

Cousin Don always had a smile on his face!  Whenever I visited Dad and Mom, he was usually at Aunt Eunice's taking care of her and Shorty!  What a blessing he was to her! ♥️

Don was the best! So caring for his mom and thank you for your service to our country!

Correction :  RIP cousin Don 
Barbara & Terry Frans
South Carolina 

RIP Uncle Don. We are thinking and praying for all the family. May God help you through this difficult time. Love to all ❤️
     Terry & Barbara Frans (Baer)

Please accept my sincere condolences. I had opportunity to work with Don at the Illinois State Water Survey and admired his work in stream restoration. He made the topic very interesting. I appreciated his enthusiasm and support for the science.  I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Don was a wonderful person to be around, and we will miss him greatly. He and Dot set such an incredible example of how to treasure and care for family , what a blessing ! 

Very sorry to hear of Don's passing-truly a great guy! 
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Don on a stream restoration project in Bloomington. I believe this project may have actually delayed his retirement because of the challenge it presented and the interest he had in enhancing the eco system. 
Because of Don's involvement, the project was an award winning success and became a valuable resource to the community. Don left a fine legacy with this particular project and I understand this was just one of many. The community and especially children can enjoy and learn about nature thanks to Don's work.
It is my belief that Don's kind and gentle approach is what helped make The Grove on Kickapoo Creek project succeed and all of us involved feel good about what small part we played.
Don and his warm smile will be missed for a long time- From all his friends at The Farnsworth Group

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dottie and the rest of the family in this time of terrible loss.  Don was such a good man and a good friend.  The world is just a little less without him in it.  

One of my favorite memories is fishing with Don on the Mississippi River.  On this day, he caught a very large catfish (about 8 lbs.)  on a crank bait.  After the fish was in the boat it thrashed and buried a hook in Don's leg.  I didn't have stout enough pliers to cut the excess barbs off, so we had to find another fisherman with better equipment.  Meanwhile Don was ashen with shock and a bit woozy.  We got the hook cut loose from the lure and snapped the hook out with a string.  I thought we were done for the day but within 30 seconds Don said "I'm feeling much better.  Let's keep fishing!"   We fished the rest of the day and as usual Don out-fished me.  

What an example Don set for how to lovingly and faithfully care for his mother and Aunts.  He will be greatly missed. - Faith (Perham) Gray

Don always had a smile for everyone!  He was a kind, gentle man.  Praying for  comfort for Dottie and the family.  

Charity of Donor's Choice

OBITUARY

Donald Paul Roseboom

May 15, 1944 – May 25, 2019

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home

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