Donald C. "Don" Blaser

1931 - 2023

Donald 'Don' C. Blaser

May 6, 1931 – September 11, 2023

Donald "Don" C. Blaser, 92, of Honolulu, Hawaii, passed away on Sept. 11, 2023, at the Arcadia Retirement Residence in Honolulu.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10:30 a.m., at Gruetli Church, south of Monroe, Nebraska. The family will greet friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment will be in Gruetli Cemetery.

Don was born May 6, 1931, to Hector and Minnie (Lemp) Blaser in rural Platte County, Nebraska, a short time after his twin brother Ronald. He attended District 37 grade school and graduated from Monroe High School in 1949. Don went on to Trinity Seminary and Bible College in Chicago where he earned an AA degree in 1953. He received his BA in Education in 1954 at Nebraska State College at Wayne and a MA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1959.

From 1955 through 1965, Don held a number of teaching and counselor positions in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Ohio. During this period, he also served in the U.S. Army. In 1965, he moved to Hawaii where he worked at the University of Hawaii as a housing administrator. He retired from this position in May of 1986.

In the almost 60 years that he lived in Hawaii, Don participated in a variety of athletic and music activities. An active athlete, he was a member of the Hawaii Trail and Mountain Club and every Sunday hiked one of the many trails in Hawaii. He also climbed Pikes Peak in Colorado. While not his favorite activity, he was a participant in the Honolulu Marathon held annually.

His first love was music and theater. While in college, he was in a number of plays, mostly musicals, and took part in a traveling road company. Don's most exciting venture was as a member of the chorus in the Honolulu Opera Theater. His favorite opera was La Boheme. Don also enjoyed being a member of the choral group of the University of Hawaii's music department. He lived the last 10 years of his life in Arcadia where he was an active participant in their annual "Follies" among other activities. When not in Hawaii, Don backpacked throughout Europe, toured Japan and visited other Asian nations.

Don made an annual trip to Nebraska to maintain ties with his family. However, during his 60 years in Hawaii he became an adopted member of a number of families. His absence - the empty chair at the holiday table - will prompt us to remember him and to tell "DONALD STORIES."

If there is one term that highlights Don's character it is "CAREGIVER." As a professional teacher, counselor and housing administrator, he was truly someone people went to when they had issues. Personally, he assisted a number of friends in their aging and passing. They relied on him and he gave of his time and energy. He also volunteered in the community to help those in need because of poor health.

Don was a long-term member of the First Christian Church of Honolulu. His religious beliefs were personal and deep-seated. He was a licensed Pastor and did spend some time earlier in life as a volunteer rural pastor.

Don is survived by numerous nephews and nieces and their children: Ralph (Teri) Blaser of California, Susan (Dan) Buller of California, Jane Farrell, Deb Krueger and Scott (Laurie) Erdman of Iowa, Jim (Linda) Blaser, Steve (Karen) Blaser, Jeff (Deb) Blaser, Jeanne Bonk, Sandy Bargmann, Barb (Todd) McQueen, all of Nebraska, Lori Eigenberg of Indiana, and Jon (Gina) Blaser of Nebraska.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Minnie and Hector; his siblings and their spouses: Fred (Donna) Blaser, Harold (Carol) Blaser, Ronald (Helen) Blaser, and sister, Shirley (Ewart) Erdman; and nephews, Frederic L. Blaser, Bret L. Blaser and Anthony C. Blaser.

Condolences may be sent to gasshaney.com.