Dr. Donald Watson Acker

Donald was born on January 16, 1920 in Colorado Springs, CO and was the son of Charles and Mary (Watson) Acker. In 1938 he graduated from Douglas County High School, Colorado. After WWII, Donald began his college education at Portland State University, Vanport Campus and later transferred to the University of Oregon where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1953. He graduated from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1954 and completed his internship at Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma, WA. He returned to Oregon to complete his Residency at the University of Oregon Medical School Hospital Clinic in Portland.

In 1942, Donald enlisted in the Army Air Corp serving his country as a Bombardier/Navigator in the Pacific-Asian Theater during WWII. In 1946, Donald was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corp and reinstated with the newly formed U.S. Air Force.

On December 29, 1947, Donald married Frances Standefer Ferguson in the Advent Christian Church in Portland, Oregon.

In 1955, he was stationed at Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, CA where he worked in General Practice and Obstetrics. In 1959 he was the Chief of Dermatology and Allergy at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. From 1961-1964, he was the Chief of Dermatology Consultant to the Surgeon, Headquarters USAFE (United States Air Forces Europe), in Wiesbaden, Germany and in 1964 he was assigned to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington D.C. His last military assignment was David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in California. From 1965-1972, Donald served as the Chief of Dermatology, the Acting Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Assistant Chairman/ Chairman of the Outpatient Clinic and the consultant to the USAF Surgeon General in Dermatology. In 1968, Donald attended the USAF Flight Surgeon School in San Antonio, TX and he served as a Flight Surgeon until his retirement. His 30 year military career was accomplished and ended with his retirement in 1972. Donald had achieved the rank of Colonel and was awarded his Silver Wings.

Following his military retirement, Donald opened his private Dermatology Practice in both Fairfield and Vaccaville, California and was the Dermatology Consultant for the California Medical Facility in Vaccaville. He belonged to the American Academy of Dermatology, the Pacific and San Francisco Dermatology Society, the Society of Air Force Internists and Allied Specialist and served as the Associate Professor of Dermatology at Stanford Medical University. He retired in 1995.

On April 9, 1988, he married Evon Sevy at the Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, California. They moved to Gresham, Oregon in 1995. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gresham.

During his retirement, Donald found pleasure in his favorite pastimes. He enjoyed photography and took great pride in photographing Mt. Hood, growing roses and reading. He also had a love for trains and their history. He enjoyed attending church and the fellowship it brought to him. He had been through and seen a lot in his life time but he always found the strength to persevere through his faith. He was compassionate, always putting others first and was described as his family’s “Quiet Hero;” a true role model for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Donald is survived by his wife, Evon of Gresham, son, John F.F. Acker of Nevada, daughters, Teresa D. Sweeney of Sandy, Deborah J. Revis of California and Barbara N. Ransom also of California, brothers, Dr. Paul Acker of Linden, WA, Dr. Charles Acker of MA and David Acker of California and sister, Lois Wilson of Colorado along with 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Donald’s Life will be on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church in Gresham. Contributions may be made to the High Education Endowment Scholarship Fund c/o First Baptist Church. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.