June 30, 2021: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana Funeral program
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor, music minister, choral director and professor, Donald Don ("Dr. D")Donaldson of Fort Wayne, Indiana went home to be with his Lord early Monday morning, June 21, 2021 at the age of 83. Born in Belleville, Kansas, on May 5, 1938, to Howard and Sylvia Donaldson, he was the youngest of four children: Dorothy, Phyllis and Alfred. During his junior year at Belleville High School, Don began dating the love of his life Bernita Kay Derowitsch. After their wedding on June 1, 1958, the wonderful love story of their marriage went on to last for more than 63 years.
In 1960, Don graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas with Bachelor of Arts degree and moved to Derby, Kansas, where he began his career as a music teacher. By the time they left the Wichita area six years later, Don had earned a Master's degree in Music Education from Wichita State University and Bernita had given birth to their four children (Debra, Dena, Don, and David). In 1966, Don was thrilled to be chosen as the choral director for a new high school in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Because he made the most of his opportunity, he had many fond memories of his twelve years at Shawnee Mission South when he was done.
While in Overland Park, he also served as the Music Minister at Hillcrest Covenant Church in Overland Park. Finally, after earning a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City ( UMKC), he moved his family to Salina, Kansas, where he taught for six years as the Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Kansas Wesleyan University.
From 1984-2000, Don finished his career as a Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Asbury College (now Asbury University)in Wilmore, Kentucky. In addition to teaching music education courses, giving voice lessons and directing choirs, he also served for a time as the Chairman of the Music Department. After he retired, the college honored Don by awarding him the status of Professor Emeritus.
Over a period of four decades, Don impacted the lives of thousands of students not only through music as a conductor, but also through the relationship as a mentor. He influenced the faith and character of his students not just by directing what they sang, but by being who he was-a person who wanted them to become all they could be. Sometimes this meant encouraging students to change their majors to music!
Don used his God-given talents to glorify his Heavenly Father and touch many lives with his incredibly gifted choirs singing songs of praise and adoration throughout the United States and Europe. He even had the opportunity to direct the Heartland Singers (a group of Shawnee Mission South Alumni) at Carnegie Hall performing Rutter's Requiem in 2001, in New York City, two months after 9/11. In 2011, Don was awarded "Educator Laureate" by Distinguished Concerts International New York at Lincoln Center. There have only been four recipients of this award since its creation.
Don had an indescribable love for his family, friends and students. He often shared how blessed and fortunate he was to have been surrounded by such amazing quality students and faculty throughout his gratifying career. His rapport, humor and connection with students was one of the signatures of his success.
Don was a loving husband and an extraordinary father. He leaves behind a wife, Bernita, of 63 years, four children and their spouses: Debra Hanson (Ken), Salina, Kansas, Dena Holgerson (Tim), Manhattan, Kansas, Don Donaldson (Missy), Wichita, Kansas, and David Donaldson (Angie),Fort Wayne, Indiana, thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Donaldson of Tucson, Arizona.
Memorial Services in Indiana were held June 30, 2021, at the Good Shepherd
United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Graveside Funeral Services in Kansas were held at the Belleville, Kansas City Cemetery July 3rd.
A Celebration of Life Service was held in Salina, Kansas July 18th at First Covenant Church.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor, music minister, choral director and professor, Donald Don ("Dr. D")Donaldson of Fort Wayne, Indiana went home to be with his Lord early Monday morning, June 21, 2021 at the age of 83. Born in Belleville, Kansas, on May 5, 1938, to Howard and Sylvia Donaldson, he was the youngest of four children: Dorothy, Phyllis and Alfred. During his junior year at Belleville High School, Don began dating the love of his life Bernita Kay Derowitsch. After their wedding on June 1, 1958, the wonderful love story of their marriage went on to last for more than 63 years.
In 1960, Don graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas with Bachelor of Arts degree and moved to Derby, Kansas, where he began his career as a music teacher. By the time they left the Wichita area six years later, Don had earned a Master's degree in Music Education from Wichita State University and Bernita had given birth to their four children (Debra, Dena, Don, and David). In 1966, Don was thrilled to be chosen as the choral director for a new high school in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Because he made the most of his opportunity, he had many fond memories of his twelve years at Shawnee Mission South when he was done.
While in Overland Park, he also served as the Music Minister at Hillcrest Covenant Church in Overland Park. Finally, after earning a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City ( UMKC), he moved his family to Salina, Kansas, where he taught for six years as the Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Kansas Wesleyan University.
From 1984-2000, Don finished his career as a Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Asbury College (now Asbury University)in Wilmore, Kentucky. In addition to teaching music education courses, giving voice lessons and directing choirs, he also served for a time as the Chairman of the Music Department. After he retired, the college honored Don by awarding him the status of Professor Emeritus.
Over a period of four decades, Don impacted the lives of thousands of students not only through music as a conductor, but also through the relationship as a mentor. He influenced the faith and character of his students not just by directing what they sang, but by being who he was-a person who wanted them to become all they could be. Sometimes this meant encouraging students to change their majors to music!
Don used his God-given talents to glorify his Heavenly Father and touch many lives with his incredibly gifted choirs singing songs of praise and adoration throughout the United States and Europe. He even had the opportunity to direct the Heartland Singers (a group of Shawnee Mission South Alumni) at Carnegie Hall performing Rutter's Requiem in 2001, in New York City, two months after 9/11. In 2011, Don was awarded "Educator Laureate" by Distinguished Concerts International New York at Lincoln Center. There have only been four recipients of this award since its creation.
Don had an indescribable love for his family, friends and students. He often shared how blessed and fortunate he was to have been surrounded by such amazing quality students and faculty throughout his gratifying career. His rapport, humor and connection with students was one of the signatures of his success.
Don was a loving husband and an extraordinary father. He leaves behind a wife, Bernita, of 63 years, four children and their spouses: Debra Hanson (Ken), Salina, Kansas, Dena Holgerson (Tim), Manhattan, Kansas, Don Donaldson (Missy), Wichita, Kansas, and David Donaldson (Angie),Fort Wayne, Indiana, thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Donaldson of Tucson, Arizona.
Memorial Services in Indiana were held June 30, 2021, at the Good Shepherd
United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Graveside Funeral Services in Kansas were held at the Belleville, Kansas City Cemetery July 3rd.
A Celebration of Life Service was held in Salina, Kansas July 18th at First Covenant Church.
June 30, 2021: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana Funeral program
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor, music minister, choral director and professor, Donald Don ("Dr. D")Donaldson of Fort Wayne, Indiana went home to be with his Lord early Monday morning, June 21, 2021 at the age of 83. Born in Belleville, Kansas, on May 5, 1938, to Howard and Sylvia Donaldson, he was the youngest of four children: Dorothy, Phyllis and Alfred. During his junior year at Belleville High School, Don began dating the love of his life Bernita Kay Derowitsch. After their wedding on June 1, 1958, the wonderful love story of their marriage went on to last for more than 63 years.
In 1960, Don graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas with Bachelor of Arts degree and moved to Derby, Kansas, where he began his career as a music teacher. By the time they left the Wichita area six years later, Don had earned a Master's degree in Music Education from Wichita State University and Bernita had given birth to their four children (Debra, Dena, Don, and David). In 1966, Don was thrilled to be chosen as the choral director for a new high school in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Because he made the most of his opportunity, he had many fond memories of his twelve years at Shawnee Mission South when he was done.
While in Overland Park, he also served as the Music Minister at Hillcrest Covenant Church in Overland Park. Finally, after earning a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City ( UMKC), he moved his family to Salina, Kansas, where he taught for six years as the Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Kansas Wesleyan University.
From 1984-2000, Don finished his career as a Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Asbury College (now Asbury University)in Wilmore, Kentucky. In addition to teaching music education courses, giving voice lessons and directing choirs, he also served for a time as the Chairman of the Music Department. After he retired, the college honored Don by awarding him the status of Professor Emeritus.
Over a period of four decades, Don impacted the lives of thousands of students not only through music as a conductor, but also through the relationship as a mentor. He influenced the faith and character of his students not just by directing what they sang, but by being who he was-a person who wanted them to become all they could be. Sometimes this meant encouraging students to change their majors to music!
Don used his God-given talents to glorify his Heavenly Father and touch many lives with his incredibly gifted choirs singing songs of praise and adoration throughout the United States and Europe. He even had the opportunity to direct the Heartland Singers (a group of Shawnee Mission South Alumni) at Carnegie Hall performing Rutter's Requiem in 2001, in New York City, two months after 9/11. In 2011, Don was awarded "Educator Laureate" by Distinguished Concerts International New York at Lincoln Center. There have only been four recipients of this award since its creation.
Don had an indescribable love for his family, friends and students. He often shared how blessed and fortunate he was to have been surrounded by such amazing quality students and faculty throughout his gratifying career. His rapport, humor and connection with students was one of the signatures of his success.
Don was a loving husband and an extraordinary father. He leaves behind a wife, Bernita, of 63 years, four children and their spouses: Debra Hanson (Ken), Salina, Kansas, Dena Holgerson (Tim), Manhattan, Kansas, Don Donaldson (Missy), Wichita, Kansas, and David Donaldson (Angie),Fort Wayne, Indiana, thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Donaldson of Tucson, Arizona.
Memorial Services in Indiana were held June 30, 2021, at the Good Shepherd
United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Graveside Funeral Services in Kansas were held at the Belleville, Kansas City Cemetery July 3rd.
A Celebration of Life Service was held in Salina, Kansas July 18th at First Covenant Church.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor, music minister, choral director and professor, Donald Don ("Dr. D")Donaldson of Fort Wayne, Indiana went home to be with his Lord early Monday morning, June 21, 2021 at the age of 83. Born in Belleville, Kansas, on May 5, 1938, to Howard and Sylvia Donaldson, he was the youngest of four children: Dorothy, Phyllis and Alfred. During his junior year at Belleville High School, Don began dating the love of his life Bernita Kay Derowitsch. After their wedding on June 1, 1958, the wonderful love story of their marriage went on to last for more than 63 years.
In 1960, Don graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas with Bachelor of Arts degree and moved to Derby, Kansas, where he began his career as a music teacher. By the time they left the Wichita area six years later, Don had earned a Master's degree in Music Education from Wichita State University and Bernita had given birth to their four children (Debra, Dena, Don, and David). In 1966, Don was thrilled to be chosen as the choral director for a new high school in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Because he made the most of his opportunity, he had many fond memories of his twelve years at Shawnee Mission South when he was done.
While in Overland Park, he also served as the Music Minister at Hillcrest Covenant Church in Overland Park. Finally, after earning a Doctor of Music Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City ( UMKC), he moved his family to Salina, Kansas, where he taught for six years as the Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Kansas Wesleyan University.
From 1984-2000, Don finished his career as a Professor of Music Education and Choral Studies at Asbury College (now Asbury University)in Wilmore, Kentucky. In addition to teaching music education courses, giving voice lessons and directing choirs, he also served for a time as the Chairman of the Music Department. After he retired, the college honored Don by awarding him the status of Professor Emeritus.
Over a period of four decades, Don impacted the lives of thousands of students not only through music as a conductor, but also through the relationship as a mentor. He influenced the faith and character of his students not just by directing what they sang, but by being who he was-a person who wanted them to become all they could be. Sometimes this meant encouraging students to change their majors to music!
Don used his God-given talents to glorify his Heavenly Father and touch many lives with his incredibly gifted choirs singing songs of praise and adoration throughout the United States and Europe. He even had the opportunity to direct the Heartland Singers (a group of Shawnee Mission South Alumni) at Carnegie Hall performing Rutter's Requiem in 2001, in New York City, two months after 9/11. In 2011, Don was awarded "Educator Laureate" by Distinguished Concerts International New York at Lincoln Center. There have only been four recipients of this award since its creation.
Don had an indescribable love for his family, friends and students. He often shared how blessed and fortunate he was to have been surrounded by such amazing quality students and faculty throughout his gratifying career. His rapport, humor and connection with students was one of the signatures of his success.
Don was a loving husband and an extraordinary father. He leaves behind a wife, Bernita, of 63 years, four children and their spouses: Debra Hanson (Ken), Salina, Kansas, Dena Holgerson (Tim), Manhattan, Kansas, Don Donaldson (Missy), Wichita, Kansas, and David Donaldson (Angie),Fort Wayne, Indiana, thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Phyllis Donaldson of Tucson, Arizona.
Memorial Services in Indiana were held June 30, 2021, at the Good Shepherd
United Methodist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Graveside Funeral Services in Kansas were held at the Belleville, Kansas City Cemetery July 3rd.
A Celebration of Life Service was held in Salina, Kansas July 18th at First Covenant Church.
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