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Donald Howard Wollett

1919 - 2014

Donald Wollett Obituary

Donald Howard Wollett

Branch Rickey is quoted as saying:

"luck is the residue of design." Don Wollett loved baseball and was a great believer in Branch Rickey. Don admired Rickey's decision to break Major League's color barrier by bringing #42 - Jackie Robinson - to play second base for the Dodgers. Don served as a salary arbitrator resolving disputes between clubs and players and later worked for baseball agent Scott Boras advising him on labor issues. Don's rich professional history included practicing and teaching law and arbitrating labor disputes.

Don died at age 95 on September 23 at his residence at the Home on the Harbor in Freeland. He was born on July 5, 1919 in Muscatine, Iowa and grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He was near the top of his class academically and won the Illinois high school debate championship with his speech "the Nine Old Men," criticizing the Supreme Court decisions overturning New Deal legislation. Don attended Bradley University and law schools at the universities of Chicago and Indiana. 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 landed him a Lieutenant's rank. At age 25 he commanded his own ship, a SC511, chasing Nazi subs in the Gulf of Mexico. On August 7, 1945, the day following the bombing of Hiroshima, he received a telegram while in the South Pacific, announcing the birth of his son, Fritz.

Don and his wife, Anne, moved to Seattle in 1946 so Don could accept a position on the faculty of the University of Washington. He taught labor law, constitutional law and torts for 12 years. He also practiced law and was a founding attorney of the first ACLU chapter in Seattle. Perhaps his most demanding obligation came when he was appointed UW Faculty Athletic Representative in 1957 following the NCAA's discovery of illegal payments to Husky football players. He represented the UW athletic program when the NCAA determined what punishment the Huskies would receive for their misconduct, a job he performed with skill and discretion.

In 1959 Don accepted a position on the faculty of the New York University School of Law. He was the first director of NYU's Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Liberties Program After NYU, he taught for two years at Louisiana State University, McGeorge School of Law, University of California, Davis and a year at Harvard Law School. Don represented the National Education Association as an attorney in New York City in the 60's and 70's. He co-authored a book with Robert Chanin on teacher negotiations. Don also worked for New York governor Hugh Carey as State Director of Employee Relations. Don arbitrated in excess of 3,000 cases and was well liked throughout the union-employer community.

Don retired to Whidbey Island in 2000. Don lived with his beloved German Shepherd, Major, and late wife, Ruth, in their house overlooking Cultus Bay. During that time, he wrote Getting on Base, based on his love of baseball and his autobiography, Dog Law, co-authored with Susan Crowell.

Don was a strong believer in social justice and enjoyed a good political discussion. He loved dogs and cats. He enjoyed his years on Whidbey Island and made many friends. Two daughters, Jenny Campbell and Penny Wollett, and his only sibling, Joan Carrel, predeceased Don. He is survived by Fritz, his daughter, Dylan, grandson Brent Campbell of Sacramento and granddaughter Jenny Kay Wollett of Las Vegas.

A memorial service will be held on October 18, at 1 p.m. at the Universalist-Unitarian Church located at 20108 SR 525, Freeland.

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

Published by The Seattle Times from Oct. 10 to Oct. 11, 2014.

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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 service

1:00 p.m.

Universalist-Unitarian Church

20108 SR 525, Freeland, WA

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