Donald J. Obee

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Cheyenne Mountain High School Boise State University University of Kansas

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Donald Obee Obituary

Donald "Don" J. Obee Jan. 23, 1912 - Aug. 19, 2011 Donald "Don" J. Obee died in Colorado Springs on August 19th - five months short of his one-hundredth birthday. He was the son of Charles and Lillian Jennings Obee and was born in Clio, Michigan, on January 23rd, 1912. The family moved to Kansas City, Kansas, where Don spent his youth. He subsequently earned his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas specializing in botany and the life sciences. During his college years he first traveled to Colorado and fell in love with the state's mountains. From 1935 through 1946 he secured summer employment as a Ranger Naturalist at Rocky Mountain National Park. From 1939 through 1946 he also taught a variety of science course at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs. There he met and subsequently married the Superintendent's daughter, Doli Shaw, who would be his life's companion until her death in 2005. In 1946 Don and Doli and their two children relocated to Boise, Idaho, where Don began a thirty year teaching career at what was first Boise Junior College, later Boise State College, and finally Boise State University - serving most of that period as Chairman of the Life Sciences Department. In retirement Don and Doli traveled extensively reaching many destinations in Central America, Canada, Europe, East Africa, South Asia and Oceania. In November of 2004 they returned to Colorado Springs to be closer to their family. Don was a member of a variety of community and professional organizations. In Colorado Springs he was the oldest living member of the AdAmAn Club. He enjoyed a wide range of outdoors recreational interests from fly-fishing to hiking and skiing. He was an ardent environmentalist before the term achieved popular currency. He loved to dance - both square dancing and ballroom - literally dancing into the last months of his life. Don Obee is survived by his daughter, Enid Cocke of Manhattan, Kansas, his son, Kent Obee of Colorado Springs, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of Don's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, at the Village at Skyline (his home for the last seven years), ground floor of Building #1 (Village Gardens), 2305 Patriot Heights, Colorado Springs, 80904.

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Published by Idaho Statesman on Aug. 23, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Obee

8 Entries

Bart Chaffee

August 30, 2011

Dear Kent and Enid-

I was sorry to learn of your father's death. I have many fond memories of your family and ours as we shared experiences and watched the college thrive and grow. My parents are both gone as well as most of the faculty of the early years of the college. I enjoyed seeing a picture of both of you at my birthday party I found when as I was going through my folks belongings. I was probably about 4 years old.

I know my father appreciated your dad's excellent teaching. He was a respected member of the community.

Our family's condolences to your family. May you treasure the special memories of your father's life.

Bart Chaffee for the Chaffee family

Judy Beeson

August 26, 2011

I will always remember Don along with Doli and all the wonderful intellect adult role models of the Boise, Idaho Great Books Group - of which my parents Jerry and Lila Beeson were members. I have especially fond memories of camping at Cascade Lake and Don being the caller at New Year's Eve square dance parties in my parent's basement. You are in my thoughts.

Wallis Bratt

August 26, 2011

Kent and Enid,
I send you and my parents (Mary and Grif Bratt - 97yrs young)condolences. As I remember, your father was always a gentleman. Pleasent and respectful to all. Though I did not have him as an instructor he is remembered as an excellent teacher and collegue. Dad and he had a few good times talking of their fishing experiences.
Dad came the same year to BJC along with your father and Lyle Smith. i can only reminise of the history over what each of these men have brought to Boise and to BJC-Boise College and now Boise State University.
Our prayers are with you and your families.

Bill Smallwood

August 25, 2011

Enid/Kent--Just want you to know I finally read your obit and there is no question that your dad was one of the finest human beings I have had the privilege to have know. You have my deepest sympathy.

August 25, 2011

Dr. Obee taught an interesting class at Boise State called Man and His Environment. He was a bit ahead of his time on the environment and how to protect and better understand it. He told us that after a rain storm he would often go outside, rescue stranded earthworms and put them somewhere safe. Great class and teacher.

Patrick

August 23, 2011

Kent and Enid, I am so sorry to hear about your Father, I did however enjoy looking after him and hearing him tell a few of the storeis he had to tell. You are in my prayers and thoughts at this time. He had an amazing history that will live on forever...
Heather A.

August 23, 2011

The AdAmAn Club will always hold you in the highest esteem and, I'm sure, all would hope to live as well as you did in your setting the standard high for every member- past and present.

Chuck Bowles

CLAUDINE NEELY

August 23, 2011

-DON OBEE WAS MY BIOLOGY TEACHER FOR CLASSES I TOOK AT BOISE JR COLLEGE IN THE EARLY 50'S. HE ALSO BECAME A FAMILY FRIEND. 99 YEARS - WOW. RIP DON CLAUDINE SMALLWOOD NEELY

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