Donald Burton Sharman

Donald Burton Sharman, age 97, passed away at home, with his family, in Sacramento, California, on February 14, 2023. He was born in San Francisco to Guthrye and Tirzah Sharman on May 24, 1925. A 55-year active resident in Orinda, California, he spent the last 6 years living in Sacramento.

He grew up in San Francisco, and married Lorraine Blinn, his wife of 70 years. They raised 2 sons, Kent, and Bob.

Don served in the US Army during World War 2, stationed in Germany and occupied Austria. Subsequently, he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of California, Berkeley, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

Don's association with UC Berkeley led to many years of celebrated multi-generational camping at the annual UC Alumni Association Camp Blue. In several generations of his family, he instilled an appreciation for the Sierra and the playground it offers in all seasons. And he was full of passion for his work and had a successful independent engineering firm for decades. Through this, he inspired the next generations in his family with the ability to pursue running one's own business with a focus on ethics and independence.

He remained an active Rotarian in the Orinda Rotary Club for many decades. He and Lorraine were active members for 55 years at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. They valued the deep relationships they developed with both groups.

An internment of his cremains will be at the columbarium at St. Stephens Church, Orinda. His wife, Lorraine, preceded him in death in 2022. He is survived by his sons Kent (Andrea) of Coos Bay, Oregon, and Bob (Wahida) of Sacramento, grandchildren Anya (Win), Claire (April), Casey, Carly, Eric, Azad, and great granddaughter Petra.