Donald Roy Spuehler

September 28, 1934 - February 17, 2025 Donald Roy Spuehler died Monday, February 17, 2025, peacefully, surrounded by family, just the way he intended. He was 90. Born in Elmhurst, IL to Elisabeth Walser and Ernst Spuehler, Donald was raised on a farm five miles outside Elgin, Illinois, and raised around his father's art, the spirit world of a step-mother, Ruth, and an appreciation for his father's love of classical music. Donald discovered the cello, and took his passion for music on to Harvard College, where his studies shifted from Science to Economics to Law. After a year at King's College in England, two years of Army service in France, and a return to Harvard Law School, he found his way to a California firm. In 1966 at a Chamber music workshop, Donald met his future wife, violinist Jane Romm. Married for 32 years, they raised their two children, Sean Jason and Tracy Ariana. A stellar 30 year tenure at O'Melveny and Myers began in 1964 under the mentorship of Maynard Toll, led to partner in 1972, and included tax related work for clients from Caltech to LACMA. It was a 1973 "Dream Year" sabbatical in London that really changed Donald's life, as he recalled going from "the gray of three-piece suits to the technicolor of freedom." An est training in 1976 was followed by meditation practice beginning at the Zen Center of Los Angeles and culminating in 20 years of meditation work with Charlotte Joko Beck in San Diego. He also enjoyed his local book club and tennis at Los Angeles Tennis Club. Philanthropy and work with The Hunger Project and other NGO's became a passion throughout Donald's life, as was his dedicated work with ACMP (Associated Chamber Music Players). Following Jane's passing, it was the magic of Esalen at the beginning of the millennium, that would bring Jill Roth into his life and lovingly welcomed by his family. Jill and Donald would marry and spend the next 25 years together with international travel and visiting US National Parks. Together, they supported Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood of L.A., and the LA Food Bank. They also enjoyed rounds of golf at Whitsett, listened to music at Disney Hall, attended the many venues for Chamber music, and shared a lifelong love of learning for 19 years as members of Plato Society of Los Angeles. Donald is survived by his wife, Jill Roth Spuehler, children Sean Spuehler and Tracy Dickerson, and four loving grandchildren, Jones (18), Vivian (18), Jane (16) and Eleanora (15). "Be grateful for this precious life and use it the best you can," he wrote in his memoir, "Find as many ways to love as you can." You are loved, Donald Roy Spuehler.