Don accepted an appointment to the US Naval Academy in the Class of 1948, majoring in Marine Engineering, and receiving his commission in June 1947.
He served three years onboard USS Hawkins, a destroyer, before continuing his career in naval intelligence. In 1952 he met Deborah Stults in Washington DC and they married that December.
In 1955, Don was assigned to Seventh Fleet staff after which he served with the Office of Naval Intelligence. He then attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy from which he received masters degrees in Political Science and in Law and Diplomacy.
The rest of his career was varied and challenging, with positions on staffs in the Middle East, France, Japan, and Washington, DC. He was on the staff of the Commander Pacific Fleet in Hawaii when he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and returned to Washington DC.
There he worked for the CIA and was Chief of Staff for the Defense Intelligence Agency before reaching his final position as the Director of Naval Intelligence in 1976.
Don retired from the Navy in 1978 after which he worked at TRW, leaving in 1989 to begin retirement in Sarasota FL, Debbie’s hometown.
Don was a member of the Naval Intelligence Professionals and was President and Chairman of the Board of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers.
In Sarasota, he was a member of the Navy League, the US Naval Academy Alumni Club, the Military Officer’s Association, and the Tiger Bay Club.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Debbie, and their children; Craig, Lynn, Reid, Anne, and their spouses. He also leaves nine very special grandchildren.
Don had an exceptional and rewarding life and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Interment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on October 25 at St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key at 3:00 PM.
DONATIONS
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society875 North Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, Virginia 22203
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