Donald DuBois

Donald DuBois

1922 - 2011 SALEM - Donald ("Doc") DuBois was born in Iriquois, South Dakota and lived his early life on the family farm. When the dust bowl hit the Midwest, the family moved to Eugene, Oregon. During his teen years, Don would befriend a popular, raven haired beauty, Margi Thorndyke, who would become the love of his life and lifelong partner.

Shortly after graduation from high school, America entered the war and Don enlisted. During one leave, he and Margi were engaged, and during another, they were married. Following the war, Don earned his BS and MS degrees from the University of Oregon, and later a PhD from USIU in San Diego.

He entered the field of education as a teacher and coach at Salem High School in 1951. His football, golf, and swimming teams were recognized as among the best in Oregon in the '50's. Don's administrative and facilities-planning skills were highly valued by the Salem-Keizer School District and he became the "go-to" man for leadership of the planning, build-out, and management of new schools. He was the first Principal of Walker and Whiteaker Middle Schools, and Sprague High School. He was also instrumental in the planning, building, and opening of McNary and McKay High Schools.

He completed his thirty-year career with the school district as Assistant Superintendent. After retirement he consulted for another twenty years as a respected expert in educational facilities planning. He was regarded as an innovator in middle school and high school practices in the United States. However, many of his best memories came from his days of coaching and teaching when he most closely touched so many young lives. He genuinely cared about kids.

Don and Margi had two children, Michael of Omaha, NE and Kathleen of Jackson, CA. Kathleen and her husband Mark have two children, Jordan of Pasadena, CA, and Lauren of Oakland, CA. Michael and Lin also have two children, Leslie of New York City, and Courtney of Charleston, NC.

During the time when Michael and Kathleen were kids, few weekends or school vacations passed without an Oregon adventure for the DuBois family. Don liked to challenge his family's survival instincts by testing their ability to brave harsh environments and physical challenges. A typical outing would involve camping in drenching rain or 20-mile hikes up steep, rocky, slippery trails (and carrying an exhausted dog with bloody paws back to camp). We learned innumerable lessons about perseverance and the triumph of achievement. Other valuable lessons that Doc imparted were how to fix anything, how to shoot, fly fish, hit a golf ball, and how to be dependable and honorable.

Don was always a physically strong man, excellent at any sport he tried. Golf was one of his athletic passions and he had many life-long friends who shared this passion. He and his golf buddies could be seen on the greens in rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Don's work with the Capital Manor Foundation was a career of its own. As President of the Foundation Board of Directors he built a philanthropic fund to provide security to residents dealing with special circumstances. For two years Don expertly managed the Foundation as a volunteer.

He truly believed he was just a lucky farm boy who married a beautiful, smart and devoted woman who pushed, carried, and led him through a wonderful life. And, in fact his life was wonderful and he was very lucky indeed to walk hand in hand with his lovely Margi. Also among the lucky are those of us who had the exquisite joy of knowing him well and loving him deeply.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Capital Manor Foundation at 1955 Dallas Highway NW, Salem, Oregon.