Donald Schauermann

Don died after a short illness at Jennings McCall at age 91. Don was born on a farm near Fort Morgan, Colorado, to German-Russian immigrants known as Volga River Germans. He attended schools in Fort Morgan and during his youth helped his brothers and father farm. He met Dorothy Griffin in high school and they were married on March 28, 1941. As they were only 17, they had to go across the state line to Nebraska to marry. Both continued to live at home with parents to keep the secret. Don said for the rest of his life it was the best decision he ever made as she was the perfect spouse.They were married for 74 years. Don is survived by three sons and their two spouses, Tim Schauermann (Nancy), Chris Schauermann (Shary) and Tony Schauermann. Another son Michael preceded him in death. He is also survived by two sisters, Geraldine Midcap and Barbara Graham. His parents John and Alice (Koch) Schauermann and three brothers Ray, Art, and Jerry and a sister, Ruth Perizzolo, preceded him in death. A big influence in Don's life occurred at the start of World War II. When the war broke out, he tried to volunteer for the war. His three brothers had already signed up and Don's father had gone to the local draft board to ask that the only son left be deferred to help on the farm. When Don appeared at the draft board, they refused to accept him. Upset with his father and feeling guilty that his brothers were going to war, Don headed to Portland and hired on at the Kaiser Shipyard to help build war ships. It was to prove a turning point in his life. He had been introduced to Oregon and after farming in Colorado for several years after the war, he moved his family to Forest Grove, Oregon, and began a career as a business man. Don and his brother Art bought the Marshall Wells hardware store in Forest Grove in 1948. They ran it for several years and then bought Forest Grove Disposal which Don owned until 1970 when he sold it and semi-retired. In the early 1970's he bought a stake in Sunset Grove Golf Course and was the manager for several years. He later worked with Kenneth Bump in founding and managing Falcon Oaks Limited, a Washington County land development company specializing in single family home subdivisions. In the mid 1980's they liquidated that company and Don permanently retired. But later while in his 60's, he bought into a 13 lot subdivision during the midst of the housing slump. With his wife Dorothy, one of his sons and his wife, they built 3 houses. Always community minded, over the years Don volunteered time with various charities and community groups including: The Elks, Habitat for Humanity, and serving as local president for Forest Grove Kiwanis Club. He and Dorothy spent their retirement playing golf at Forest Hills Country Club, riding their bikes all over Washington County, and one year traveling the United States in their van. Besides his three surviving sons, Don has 19 grandchildren, and 46 great grandchildren. Contributions can be directed to Pacific University in Don's name. A service celebrating Don's live will be held Saturday, June 27, at 3 p.m., in the Mt. Jefferson room in the Jennings McCall building, 2300 Masonic Way, Forest Grove, Oregon.