Don died peacefully, his loving wife at his side, in San Mateo, California, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was an amazing father, husband, and friend! He was an avid fisherman, gardener, camper, hot spring soaker, reader, and hiker who always cleaned up any litter along the way. He had a great sense of humor and coined many new terms that brightened our days. He also enjoyed playing cards and cribbage -- usually winning -- and traveling with his family. Born and raised in Ballard (Seattle), Washington, Don was the only child of Willlard and Olga Hood. Growing up he played the xylophone and was active in the Boy Scouts. He became the youngest Eagle Scout at Ballard Trinity Methodist Church. He enjoyed Seattle's waterfront and seafood, as well as spending time at his parents' cabin on Lake Joy. A graduate of Ballard High School, Don worked his way through college and graduated from University of Washington with a master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He married Louise Abel in 1964 and had two children, Timonie and Gary. The couple later divorced. He worked at Boeing in Seattle for about 10 years on specialized welding techniques for NASA missions. In 1971, after a Boeing strike, he and his family moved to Idaho Falls to work at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratories, the Department of Energy's lead nuclear research and development facility, as an EG&G manager. In 1980, he received the William H. Hobart Memorial Medal Award from the American Welding Society. A concurrent ultrasound weld evaluation procedure used for pipeline welding was patented by Don and his colleagues. Don retired in 1993. While in Idaho Falls, he was active in the community and was a member of the American Welding Society, Toastmasters, the Elks Club, the Sociables Club, and was a grateful member of the A.A. fellowship. Don and Virginia "Ginger" Lee were married in Honolulu in 1996. They moved from Idaho Falls to Lake Stevens, Washington, where he volunteered with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office in Everett. In 2001, they moved to Spokane, Washington, where they became members of Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church and the Corbin Park Senior Center where he taught cribbage. They moved to San Mateo, California, in 2009. Don was predeceased by his parents, his stepdaughter Laura Syhlman-Annal (John), and his beloved Uncle Cuppy. His body was donated to medical education and research. Survivors include his wife Ginger Lee-Hood of Spokane, WA; children Timonie Hood (John Canfield) of San Carlos, CA; Gary Hood (Diann) of Rock Springs, WY; and stepchildren Melinda Geiger of Spokane, WA; Tim Sturm (Theresa) of Soldotna, AK; Brian Syhlman (Patty) of Spokane, WA; and Shawn Syhlman (Marina) of Vancouver, WA. Grandchildren include Salina Geiger (Shane Probert), Billy Geiger; Michael and Timmy Sturm; Marisa, Derick, and Clarie Marie Syhlman; Stephen and Jerushah Thomas; Tiffany Van Dam, Joy Hood, Jessica Makovsky (Mac), Gary "Alan" Hood II; Skyden Canfield; and Lilia and Nelli Syhlman. Great-grandchildren include Kylee Probert, Baylee and Kendall Geiger, Payton and Wyatt Wilson, and Levi Makovsky. Our family also includes and would like to immensely thank Jean Agdeppa, the staff of the Three Sisters Care Home, and the wonderful professionals of Mission Hospice in San Mateo and Horizon Hospice in Spokane who cared for Don during his final years. If you would like to make a donation, please support Mission Hospice or Horizon Hospice. Don's memorial service will be held on May 27th at 3:00 p.m. at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, Crestline and Thurston.

Published in Spokesman-Review May 26, 2011.