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DONALD GIDDINGS Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for DONALD GIDDINGS
Catherine Noakes
October 13, 2023
What a great, great man! My husband and I are from the 1st graduating class of PHHS. My husband and I remember at our 20th reunion, both divorced. We married 3 years later in the PHHS Amphitheater, with the reception in the basketball gym. Mr. Giddings and his wife were there. The beautiful crystal vase they gave us for a wedding gift still sits in a prominent place in my home. Mr. Giddings was a fair, kind, gentle man who wanted the best for the children he was entrusted to educate. I remember waltzing with him st my Senior Prom when crowned Senior Prom Queen. It was magical. Forever grateful for the chance he gave us for an innovational and wonderful educational experience. For those of us lucky to experience it always had a head start on tackling obstacles and challenges in our lives. Condolences to your family. Your Patriarch is a deeply loved and respected human being. Forever in our hearts. May his memory be a blessing to you.
Love,
Charlie and Cathy Noakes (Adamczyk)
Joni Engelhorn
June 21, 2011
We were so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My mother, Helen Toothaker Engelhorn, recently had a nice conversation with Don after my grandmother, Pauline Toothaker, passed away in April. Don and my mom spoke of the memories of Harbor View Dr. and Armada Terrace and about Heidi. I have fond memories of walking Heidi when I was a little girl. Our sympathies to the family.
Alana Hall
June 19, 2011
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Ron Soucy
June 19, 2011
Music, when soft voices die
Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory—
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.
Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heaped for the beloved's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
The Poetry Foundation
Alan Goldberg
June 19, 2011
Mr. Giddings was the principal at PHHS during my tenure there from 1971-74. He established the school, with its experimental independent learning (I think the school had a Danforth Foundation Grant at that time). He was a remarkable visionary. But, in addition, he was a mentor, guide, and friend to all of us students. He was an athlete, but never missed an opportunity to congratulate those of us in science fairs, academic achievement pursuits, and other endeavors too. He was a kind and fair man, and a motivator. I remember him fondly. Condolences to the family. May you find strength and many smiles in your own memories of this remarkable man.
June 19, 2011
My reflections of Don Giddings to his family:
The first time I met Mr. Giddings was when I was a Junior High School kid from Ocean Beach and my buddies and I had just been busted by Bennie Edans for swimming accross the channel to the Kona Kia club. Edans wanted to turn us into the cops, but Mr. Giddings said No. He was head of security for the Kona Kia then , a summer job from teaching. He said to us " swim back accross and don't come back until your invited." The next time I meet him was at varsity football practice as an entering sophmore. To me he was a huge man who towered over me. He had one leg smaller than the other and I was told he had played at Stanford. That year was difficult for me because I would play behind Seniors John Dawson and Bobby Pringle two guys that I idolized. But the Coach put his big arm around me one day and said " be patient you'll start next year" I would have gone throgh a wall for that man. The next year Mr. Giddings took the Vice Principals position and Bennie Edans took over as the Football Coach. In my junior year I was involved in a fight that turned into a small riot. and the Police desended upon our campus to nail the guilty party. After many intreogations the police decided I was the One and were ready to put me in jail. But Mr Giddings stepped in and said " How can you place all the blame on this one boy who is the only one telling the truth" I got off with probation because of him.In my Senior year I wanted to guit school after the football season and Mr. Giddings called me into his office and listened to me. But he knew I was making a huge misstake. He said to me "If I can get you a partime job and you only have to 4 classes a day will you stay" The next day it was set up. Years later I became a teacher and principal for 20 yrs and I allways kept the memory and example of Mr. Giddings in my mind. I atteded the 50th party of the class of 1955 and Mr Giddings was there.Near the end of the evening He came up to Bobby Pringle and myself and He put his big arms around us and said " My Boys". We both wept.
Bill Kelly, Point Loma High School, Class of 1957
Jim Lobel
June 18, 2011
Mr. Giddings was a fine Man and a great Principal. He was my mentor and a inspiration of what I have become. May the Lord me with him and take care of him forever. He will be surely missed
Charles Rowe
June 18, 2011
Mr Giddings was a very kind man and would help you if you had a problem. I attended Patrick Henry High from 1971 to 1973. The day I graduated he shook my hand and told me to have the best of luck. May he R.I.P.
Lee & Don March 2011
Dr. Lee Brown
June 18, 2011
Don loomed large in my education both at Richard Henry Dana Junior High and Point Loma High. His daughter, Dana, and I were in the same class through those years. After a 50 year hiatus, our paths crossed again just recently and I was delighted to spend a couple of hours with him a few months ago with respect to a screen play I am working on. Still the same wry wit, curious, and pleasant. A true gentleman in every sense of the word.
Lee Brown, PLHS 1959
Pete Palermo
June 18, 2011
Don Giddings was our counselor throughout our years at Point Loma High School. We dedicated our yearbook to him in our senior year. He was my football coach and mentor. He taught us to be disciplined on and off the field and set a great example for us to follow. He taught us to be good sports win, lose or draw and to live our lives with integrity. He had confidence in me that I would be successful and was my inspiration. We will really miss him, but will always remember him.
Pete Palermo, Class of 1955, Offensive Guard, All City Defensive Linebacker, MVP, and now Attorney at Law
Ira Weiss
June 17, 2011
Mr. Giddings was a wonderful principal and guided our faculty and students at PHHS. It was an honor to graduate during his tenure. He will be remembered fondly. We are proud of our playing field named in his honor.
June 16, 2011
Don Giddings was one of the finest men in my life giving me winning attitude and a special discipline in athletics and a positive life. Bob Roeder fullback
Mary Stivers (Perret)
June 16, 2011
My mother was Ruth Held, a teacher at Point Loma, and a dear friend of Don's. I pretty much grew up with the family, and have lovely memories of all. Don was an example to many. We've lost another good man. I think I have an interview here that my mother did with him.
Sandra Kirk
June 16, 2011
Mr. Giddings was our beloved and respected Coach, Vice Principal and Principal at Point Loma High when I was a student there from 1953 thru 1956. He was of the Greatest Generation and I'm sorry to know he is gone. I send sympathy and prayers to his family and know they must have many wonderful memories to sustain them. respectfully, Sandra Jackson Kirk
Mark & Anita Bitterlin
June 16, 2011
Dear Giddings Family, What wonderful memories you must have of your very special father/grandfather. Don Giddings will be remembered by us as one of the true gentlemen.
Lorene (Petersen) Chalfant
June 16, 2011
I have many fond memories of Mr. Giddings during my years at PHHS. He was a special man, and will be long remembered by many of the students he served.
June 16, 2011
Don Giddings selected me to be his Registrar when he opened PHHS. It was one of the best assignments of my career. I respected him as a principal and as a person. My deepest sympathy to his family. I know he will be missed.
Diane Petersen
June 15, 2011
Prayers are with your family. PHHS alumni 1973
June 15, 2011
My heartfelt sympathy to all of you. Dana, I remember you from High School, and your Dad there, too. My mother, Ruth Bean was especially fond of Don as a Principal at Point Loma. He lived a full and happy life. Cherish the many memories you have of him.
Cynthia Bean Springall
June 15, 2011
He was a well-respected Principal. God Bless his family during this time. PHHS Alumni 1976.
June 15, 2011
how i will miss uncle don and his smiles.
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