DONALD MACDONALD

MACDONALD, DONALD August 7, 1925 to April 15, 2010 The world has lost a great man. Donald Macdonald's passing has left a huge void, testimony to the impact Donald had on so many. He was a devoted family man, of course, but he was so much more - philanthropist, student, mentor - a shining example of how to live a full, productive life. Donald was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the first of four children. His father left the family early, leaving Donald the responsibility of providing for the family, which he continued to do till the day he died. He left high school early to join the Merchant Marine and never stopped working hard until his retirement from SAIC Inc. in 1989. Along the way he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, ultimately retiring from reserve status in 1966. He graduated with honors from San Diego State College with a BA in Business Administration in 1955, began working for Convair, RCA, and eventually SAIC, mostly as a management consultant. His strength was writing proposals for contracts that SAIC would compete for. Donald would educate himself in the fields the contracts would encompass, and if SAIC landed the contract (which happened often) he may then work for years on that project. The work he did mattered to all of us, in fields such as nuclear waste disposal, water pollution, and air pollution. And by the way, in spite of his typical 60 hour work week, he managed to graduate from the Western State University School of Law at the age of 51! Why? Because he always wanted to go to law school. Donald learned much over the years and forgot nothing. He knew something about everything and a lot about a lot. Being the dynamic man he was, dealing with the ravages of ageing was difficult for Donald, but he fought hard to the end. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the UCSD Medical Center, Country Villa La Mesa, and Avalon Hospice. But anyone who knew Donald will tell you the key to his longevity was his hot little personal nurse. Never left his side. Gal named Jean. Their paths crossed in Panama in 1950 and never diverged thereafter. Together they raised two sons, worked hard, and traveled often and well. They were exceedingly generous, helping not only virtually their entire extended family, but also the Zoological Society of San Diego, the SDSU Foundation, and Partners in Health. Thank you Donald. Donald was preceded in death by his brother Ian, and is survived by his wife Jean, brother William Wallace, sister Jean, sons Craig and Douglas, daughters-in-law Barbra and Lynn, grandchildren, Tyler, Travis, Christina, Shelby, and Ryan, and great-grandchildren Jace and Sawyer. Services will be on Thursday, April 29th, at 2:00 pm, in the Salli Lynn Chapel at Greenwood Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92113. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Partners in Health, c/o Steve Johnson, Treasurer, 959 Kennebec Rd., Hampden, Maine 04444.