Donald Shafor Catterson

1927 - 2016

Donald Shafor Catterson

Donald Shafor Catterson, age 89, a longtime resident of Palm Desert, CA passed peacefully Monday, November 7, 2016, at his home with family by his side. Don was born January 15, 1927 in Denver, CO to Frehn H. Catterson and Sarah Ginther Catterson. Don is survived by two children, Sarah Margaret (Louis Nielsen) Catterson of La Quinta, CA, Jane Stuart (Kevin Clarke) Catterson of Portola Valley, CA; four grandchildren, Suzy (Jason) Kole of Irmo, SC, Stephanie (Troy) Meyer of Centennial, CO, Matthew (Haley) Catterson of Fernley, NV, and D. Zachary Marshello of Reno, NV; and 4 great-grandchildren, Jamison Daniel Meyer and William Vail Meyer of Centennial, CO, and Jason Jude Kole and Annabelle Louise Kole of Irmo, SC. In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by his wife, Sarah (Sallie) Bond Catterson; his sister, Lois Catterson Frazee; and his son, Donald Frehn Catterson.

Born and raised in Denver, Don entered the Navy in 1944 and proudly served our country until his honorable discharge in 1946. He was then accepted into the Chemical Engineering program at the University of Washington and graduated cum laude in 1950 with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, Don relocated to San Jose, CA and began his chemical engineering career. A close friend introduced him to the love of his life, Sallie, and after just 3 months they married on August 18, 1951. Soon after, the couple moved to Lawrence, KA where Don worked as a supervisor in a chemical manufacturing facility. As his career progressed, Don and his family relocated several times (Pocatello, Spokane, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Hudson (OH), Los Altos, Palos Verdes Estates, and Palm Desert.)

Don held executive positions at two chemical companies prior to launching his own chemical company in 1974, a company that became the leading manufacturer of water treating chemicals for major potable water and waste water treatment plants in the western U.S. He was extremely dedicated to his career in specialty chemicals and also held patents on hydraulic fittings in the aerospace industry. Over the years Don held leadership positions in several chemical societies, The Bohemian Club, Tahoe Yacht Club, and two homeowner associations. Don was a hard-working, dedicated, and compassionate man but his true passion was spending time with his wife and three children, providing counsel, guidance, and support at every turn. He was a man of few words, but always used words that mattered. In 1965 Don built a beautiful home for his family to enjoy next to the shore of Lake Tahoe. Family and friends always enjoyed their time with Don. Very special memories were made as he shared all the beauty of Tahoe, teaching everyone to snow ski, waterski, fish, golf, and play horseshoes, and cards. Don was incredibly devoted to his family, including his dogs, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of them at Tahoe whenever possible. Don always focused on the good in people, and how he could help make them better. He was beloved by his wife and other family that preceded him in death as well as those he has left behind; a kinder man there never was. He will be truly missed.

A celebration of Don's life has been scheduled for the family.

For those wishing to send an expression of sympathy, the family suggests remembrances to either the American Heart Association at www.heart.org / P.O. Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074-2030 or The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society at www.northtahoemuseums.org / PO Box 6141, Tahoe City, CA 96145.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: desertsun.com/obituaries.