Don Jay Stainbrook

Don J. Stainbrook died November 27, 2025, under the tender loving care of Hospice after dealing with the pains of cancer for several months. His parents, Bert and Helen, preceded him in death. He leaves his loving wife and partner of 31 years, Judith, of Springfield, son, Eric, Colorado, daughter, Laura Melvin, Connecticut, four grandchildren and his first great-grandchild, Madeline, born a month before his death, who he adored.
Don was a 1960 graduate of Central High School, going on to the Missouri School of Mines & Metallurgy in Rolla where he received his mining engineering degree. Don spent his entire career with Newmont Mining Company, along the way, furthering his education at Harvard and Columbia, ending with a doctorate as a Geophysicist. He traveled throughout the world, analyzing various mine sites and was instrumental in bringing the company into the computer age. (in other words, he was one of the early ones to 'learn to code')
Don was a true Renaissance man and his art, stained glass creations and 'made-from scratch' extensive miniature steam engine collection will live on in his memory, cherished by family and friends.