Donald Louis Johnson

Donald, a lifelong Seattle resident, was a principled man who adored his family, was forever loyal to his schools and hometown, and brought integrity to his work in law and the arts. He passed away just twelve days shy of the 60th anniversary of his wedding to the love of his life, Dorothy Haby.

Don spent his youth in Magnolia with his brother, Roger, where he constantly scanned the skies for new Boeing aircraft, beginning a lifelong fascination. He was a 1948 graduate of Queen Anne High School, then attended the University of Washington, where he pledged Chi Psi Fraternity, served as the president of his UW senior class, and was an officer on the Student Board of Control (UW student governing body.) After graduation in 1952, he served in the US Air Force stationed in California, where he met his future bride, Dottie, on a blind date. Returning to Seattle, he attended UW School of Law, graduating in 1957, having served on the Law Review Board of Editors. Years later he was proud to serve as the President of the UW Law School Foundation.

Recruited by Bogle and Gates, Don enjoyed a career focused on business and real estate law for over 37 years. In 1992, his career took a dramatic shift as he began his tenure as the Co-Trustee of the Kreielsheimer Foundation, one of the largest private arts foundations in the Pacific Northwest at the time. Throughout the 90s he was responsible for distributing nearly $100 million to regional arts and education groups. He made formative gifts which facilitated the building of iconic cultural institutions in Seattle, including Seattle Opera’s McCaw Hall, Seattle Symphony’s Benaroya Hall, and the Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park. He was equally interested in supporting smaller enterprises or riskier endeavors that contributed to the rich tapestry of cultural offerings of the greater PNW. Other organizations he supported included the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pacific Science Center IMAX, Leo K Theater at Seattle Rep, ACT Theatre at Kreielsheimer Place, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Cornish College of the Arts, ArtsFund, Henry Art Gallery, Bellevue Arts Museum, and many more. His stewardship of the Foundation and his ability to leverage philanthropy in the arts community were his prized professional achievements.

Don received numerous honors, notably the Legion of Honor Award from the Seattle Center Foundation, Distinguished Citizen of the City of Seattle awarded by Mayor Schell, and he received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Cornish College of the Arts.

Don and Dottie were married in 1960, and raised their three daughters on the shore of Lake Washington, working hard to give them a wonderful upbringing. They took the family to Europe for a three-month sabbatical in 1979 and had great fun driving their Peugeot through the French countryside, Don with an Inspector Clouseau accent, the girls rolling their eyes. It was the family trip of a lifetime.

Donald is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy, his daughters Kimberly (Joe), Kristin (Jaspreet), Karin (Chris), grandchildren Katherine, Roman, Anders, and Sonia, and his brother Roger of Tacoma. He is predeceased by his infant daughter, Deborah. He will be missed by all. The family welcomes your memories of Don in our online guestbook at dignitymemorial.com, and suggests remembrances be made to UW School of Law or an arts organization of your choice. A memorial will be planned at a later time when we can all safely gather.