Daniel William "Dan" Donelin

Daniel "Dan" William Donelin, 84, of St. Augustine, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025, at Baptist Hospital South. Born on July 20, 1941, in Bronx, New York, Dan was the beloved son of the late Daniel John and Mary Ellen Donelin. A dedicated educator, professional, and public servant, Dan's life was marked by his passion for landscape architecture, education, and community. Dan earned an associate degree from Farmingdale State University of New York in 1962, followed by a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia in 1965, and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University in 1967. His professional career was both distinguished and impactful. He worked with several respected firms including Fahringer, McCarty, Grey and Associates, Inc. (1968–1970) and Hamilton/Butt and Associates (1974–1978). He also served as a design consultant for Richard D. Tarbox, Inc. and as a consultant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service (1980–1982). Dan spent over two decades shaping the minds of future professionals as a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Florida (1970–1994), where he also served as graduate coordinator. He continued his career at Kansas State University as the Department Chair of LARCP before retiring and returning to St. Augustine in 2009. A leader in his field, Dan was a former Vice President of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). His contributions included serving as author and editor of the Uniform National Exam Study Guide (1983–1985), membership on the Florida Chapter Examining Board (1986–1990), Chair of the Membership Recruitment Committee (1993–1994), and Trustee of the Florida Chapter. He received multiple honors including the National Merit Award (ASLA), a Research Achievement Award from the University of Florida, and was a charter member of the Omicron Chapter of Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society. He was named Teacher of the Year by the College of Architecture at UF and coordinated master planning projects such as the Conservation Renewal of the Oklawaha River Basin. In addition to his professional achievements, Dan was deeply involved in his community. He was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church, where he served faithfully as a Eucharistic Minister and was active with the Knights of Columbus. A lifelong "Scout" and outdoorsman, Dan was always on the move running, hiking, camping, cycling and golfing with family and friends. He ran more than 40 marathons and always looked forward to joining the crew for a spin class at Funkytown Fitness. Dan is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Latane Nelms Donelin of St. Augustine; his children, Lyn Donelin Bickle (John) of Carefree, AZ, Kelley Downes Donelin of Cedar Park, TX, and COL Daniel Glenn Donelin, U.S. Army, Ret., of Phoenix, AZ; his sister, Mary Margaret Downes McBride (Kevin) of Tuckahoe, NY; sister-in-law, Glenda Patterson of Savannah, GA; and his cherished grandchildren, Capt Daniel Scott Bickle, U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate, James Arthur Bickle, Caitlin Anne Bickle, Gavin Bryce Horton and Madison Savannah Horton. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Anne Marie Downes Larkin. A gathering of friends and family will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at St. Johns Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 385 State Road 207, St. Augustine, FL 32084. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 5205 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL. Dan Donelin's legacy lives on through the landscapes he shaped, the students he inspired, and the family and community he loved so deeply. St. Johns Family Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.