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Donald AM Obituary
Donald Westland AM
10/10/1939 – 20/12/2024
Passed away aged 85 years.
Beloved husband of Annette (dec.), devoted father of Lisa and Lainie and father-in-law of David, doting grandfather of Samuel, Jessica, and Emilija, caring brother of Danne (dec.), Rod (dec.) and Jill. Don lived a long and productive life, fully engaged with family and community. His passion for geosciences, classical studies and swimming was sustained until his last days. He is greatly missed.
Privately cremated.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald AM
1 Entry
The Hon. Paul Munro AM
January 3, 2025
With Don Emerson´ death, Australia has lost a singular scholar, renowned geophysicist and bold spirit, an almost unique bundle of talents in one Australian. Growing up in the Sandhills of Maroubra, Don was the Dux of his age cohort at Waverley College; soon after top of his graduation group in Geology from University of NSW. His career thereafter was even more spectacular in achievement; the name DW Emerson is inscribed across countless data sources within and beyond Australia.
Much as I and his many friends were in awe of his professional and academic achievements, it was Don´s lifelong effervescence, width of interests and sustained character as an insightful knockabout Aussie voice that earned our lifelong esteem and fondness.
For a person of such high intellectual achievement a literate polymath, Don retained a common touch an infectious humour and a joy in everyday mundanities of Australian life. Incongruous emblems of that admixture was his late years translations of Tacitus, of ancient Greek and Latin authors; all the while inspiringly preserving a workhorse decades old utility as his sole means of urban transport.
I know that my own world is much diminished by the loss of Don from it; I grieve for the loss that will be felt by his family, daughters and grandchildren. For them he cared much. May they be comforted and nourished by memories off his, so much larger than any I know, life..
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