Dr. Donald Francis Hackett

1947 - 2025

April 7, 1947 - September 6, 2025
 
  It is with a heavy heart that the wife and son of Dr. Donald Hackett announce his passing on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
  Donald was born April 7, 1947 to Edward and Veronica Hackett in Detroit, Michigan. He attended high school at St. Mary's Preparatory in Orchard Lake, Michigan and college at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. He left his last semester of college to come to California in 1969. He met the love of his life, Marie Silva and son, Paul in 1975 in Hollywood, CA
  After working for a personal theatrical manager and driving an airport express van, Donald decided that he wanted a career. His mother suggested becoming a Chiropractor. This interested him and he finished his science courses at L.A. City College and enrolled in Pasadena College of Chiropractic where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and his Doctorate in Chiropractic in 1987. He passed his California State Board Exams in 1988 and after working in Los Angeles for a year came to work at Palmdale West Chiropractic in the Posada West Shopping Plaza. Donald bought the practice in 1990, renamed it  Westside Chiropractic, Inc., and moved to Rancho Vista Shopping Center in 1992. His Gonstead technique was the basis of his practice and his pursuit of ever more information on the Science of Chiropractic lead him to an intensive two year course in functional neurology from the Carrick Institute. In 1992 Donald graduated from the Institute, eligible as an American Chiropractic Neurology Board Diplomate. He remained at Rancho Vista until he closed the business in 2015. He then moved to Bowman Chiropractic and his new status as a semi-retired doctor made it possible for him to travel with Marie who retired that year.
  Donald and Marie began to really travel. They went to Belgium, Netherlands, England, Scotland, Italy, France, Germany and Hungary. They took a Viking cruise across Europe and back in the USA visited a major city every year. The plan was to visit every state. Their son Paul accompanied them to Alaska, New Orleans, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Montreal. They traveled to St. Augustine, Savannah and Charleston. They had planned on many more trips. Last year the family spent four weeks in the Azores Islands and Portugal where Donald wanted to retire. He loved to snorkel, swim, go on walks and was an avid reader. He read lots of science fiction and then went on to scientific journals, books on philosophy and quantum physics. Donald and Marie enjoyed their latest endeavor, joining the Archeology Club at the Palmdale Senior Center.
  Donald's patients will not only miss his chiropractic adjustments, but also his knowledge, his biting wit, and sometimes zany sense of humor. He cared deeply about his patients and was always thinking about the Science of Chiropractic.
  Donald is survived by his wife, Marie and son Paul, brothers Dennis, Terrance and James Hackett.
  The loss of such a caring health care provider in the Antelope Valley is  immense. His wife and son will forever have him in their hearts and memories.
  In keeping with his view of oneness with the universe, his remains will be returned to the earth as soil for use in family memorial gardens and also donated to conservation efforts. Donations in his name may be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center which fights for ending hate, extremism, poverty, and economic inequality for all people.