Donald Stewart Ferguson

In Loving Memory of Donald Stewart Ferguson
Donald Stewart Ferguson, PhD, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service, adventure, and love. A devoted father, husband, and friend, Don's life was a rich tapestry of curiosity, hard work, and a quiet appreciation for the beauty of the world around him.
Don was born on a dairy farm in Washington County, NY, to Isabel, a college-educated mathematician, and Stuart, a farmer whose Presbyterian ethos instilled in Don a lifelong commitment to hard work and innovation. From an early age, Don embraced the joys and challenges of farm life, developing the resourcefulness and determination that would carry him through an extraordinary life.
Don graduated from Salem High School and went on to earn a degree from Cornell University, New York's land-grant agricultural college. His passion for agriculture and service led him to join the Peace Corps, where he traveled extensively throughout Nigeria conducting livestock censuses and teaching modern agricultural practices. This experience marked the beginning of his lifelong dedication to agricultural development, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
After earning his PhD in Foreign Agricultural Economics, Don taught at the University of Yaoundé in Cameroon and later served with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of International Cooperation and Development. His work took him to countries such as Chad, Bangladesh, Haiti, and Nigeria, where he helped modernize agricultural practices and reduce food insecurity.
Don's adventurous spirit extended beyond his professional life. He and his first wife, Sandy, shared a love of exploration. Sandy and the kids would spend summers on her family's farm while Don worked abroad. In later years, Don and his second wife, Carol, traveled to China and Russia, continuing his lifelong pursuit of discovery.
Despite his many accomplishments, Don remained grounded in life's simple pleasures. He was an avid birdwatcher who found immense joy in watching his bird feeder from his favorite chair, sharing updates on which species had visited. Taught carpentry by his dad in his childhood, Don created custom jungle gyms, treehouses, sandboxes, and playhouses for his children, often becoming the envy of the neighborhood. His thoughtful, "let's figure it out" approach extended beyond carpentry to be his general approach to life.
Music was another constant in Don's life. A lifelong singer, he participated in church choirs, barbershop quartets, and choral groups like the Heritage Harmony Singers and Lakeridge Chorale. Whether harmonizing with others or singing to himself, his deep baritone voice brought joy to those around him.
Don's life was not without challenges. He faced the devastating loss of his first wife, Sandy, to gun violence, and later, his second wife, Carol, to Lewy body dementia. Despite these hardships, he raised his children with patience, strength, and unwavering love, creating a home filled with humor, kindness, and resilience. His optimism and gratitude shone through even in difficult times.
Don's legacy is one of adventure, service, and love. He taught his family to appreciate both life's grand adventures and its quiet joys-whether traveling to far-off lands, building a bird feeder, or sharing a bedtime story. He leaves behind his children and extended family, who will carry forward his values of curiosity, compassion, and perseverance.
Don Ferguson lived a life full of purpose, humility, and warmth. While he will be deeply missed, his memory will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him.
For an storycorp interview with Don please see the following link: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/interview-with-don-ferguson-dad/