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Donald Howard Wollett

1919 - 2014

BORN

1919

DIED

2014

Donald Wollett Obituary

1919 - 2014
Donald Wollett died at age 95 on September 23 at his residence on Whidbey Island, Washington. He was born on July 5, 1919 in Muscatine, Iowa and grew up in Peoria, Illinois. Don attended Bradley University and law school at the Universities of Chicago and Indiana. Upon receiving his law degree, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, and became a "90 day wonder," a reference to his training as a Midshipman, which eventually earned him a Lieutenant's rank. Don was assigned to small anti-submarine craft chasing Nazi subs in the Gulf of Mexico. At age 25 he took command of his own ship, a SC511.

Don taught labor law and constitutional law for many years at the universities of Washington, New York, Harvard, Louisiana State and McGeorge School of Law. In 1959 Don accepted a position on the faculty of New York Sch0ol of Law. He became the first director of the Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Program designed to educate students, attorneys and the public on constitutional issues. Don was a partner at the New York firm of Kaye Scholer Fierman Hays & Handler and represented the National Education Association for ten years bringing bargaining rights to public school teachers. In 1975 he accepted a position as the State Director of Employee Relations for Governor Hugh Carey. Don returned to California a few years later to teach at McGeorge. He also found time to arbitrate more than 3,000 labor grievances.

Don retired to Whidbey Island in 2000. He wrote Getting on Base, based on his love of baseball and his time as a baseball salary arbitrator and player advocate and an autobiography, Dog Law, co-authored with Susan Crowell. Two daughters, Jenny Campbell and Penny Wollett, and his only sibling, Joan Carrel, predeceased Don. He is survived by his son Fritz, of Seattle, granddaughter Dylan, grandson Brent Campbell of Sacramento and granddaughter Jenny Kay of Las Vegas. A memorial service will be held on October 18 at the Universalist-Unitarian church located at 20108 SR 525, Whidbey Island, Washington.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries

Becky McMillen Jacobson

December 2, 2014

Fond memories of being a live-in nanny in the early 70's to Mr. Wollett in Davis, California. I was so sorry to also hear of the deaths of Jenny and Penny. So sorry for your loss.

October 14, 2014

Don and my father Ben, were best friends when they the came to the University of Washington after the War. As a little kid I remember the great cocktail parties filled with informed conversation and laughter. Don was handsome ,suave and really funny.This was a special group of young and optimistic Professors who believed in the general goodness of mankind and the promise of America. Don and my father were pioneers in Labor Arbitration and champions of the Labor Movement. There were long and thoughtful conversations and stories that would go into the wee small hours. This was a special group of teachers that I dare say, we will not see again. I had the good fortune to take Don's Labor Law class at UC Davis in the '70's and he had not changed. We shared some memories of those great parties and the warm affection these wonderful people had for each other.I am sure about such things, but there are surely some folks would say that now Don and my dad (who died in 1999 ) can resume their debates and story-telling over heavenly martinis. I hope so. Rest in Peace Don. Paul Gillingham

michele angelica

October 7, 2014

You will be missed. I will always think of you when I see a Hibiscus flower. Going shopping with you to buy a plant for your yard in remembrance of Penny is such a touching memory for me. You were a great man and a wonderful Father. Penny loved you so much. Iwas blessed to have known you.

Ben Bycel

October 7, 2014

I had Don in law school. His willingness to share his real life experience made it a terrific class. Also his sense of humor made it a hell of lot of fun.
One of the greats.

McCarthy

October 6, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. May the Most High God comfort you as you mourn the loss of your loved one. (Psalm 83:18)

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Memorial Events
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Oct

18

Memorial service

1:00 p.m.

Universalist-Unitarian Church

20108 SR 525, Freeland, WA

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