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BORN
1932
DIED
2017
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Donald Harper Obituary
1932 - 2017
Dr. Donald D. Harper, age 85, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2017. He was born June 4, 1932 in Redwood City, CA. to the late Owen and Sarah Harper. Also preceding him in death were his 7 brothers and 3 sisters. Donald received a Ph.D. in Sports Medicine from The Ohio State University. Donald retired as Ohio State professor of kinesiology. Donald was an accomplished diver and gymnast. Between 1955 and 1961, Donald won five Big Ten championships in trampoline and diving; five NCAA titles; and nine National Amateur Athletic Union gold medals. He was an eight-time All-American in diving and gymnastics. In 1958, he became the first athlete to win NCAA national championships in two sports within a month of each other, taking first in the 1 and 3-meter diving and then coming back a week later to capture the NCAA trampoline title. Internationally, Donald was the first trampoline gold medalist in the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City; a springboard silver medalist in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics; and silver medalist in platform diving at the 1959 Pan American Games. His worldwide reputation is staggering. Honors include The Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame, International Swimming Hall of Fame and World Acrobatics Society Hall of Fame. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Dr. Sandra Harper; daughter, Anne (Tim) Halliday; grandchildren, Jackson, Madison and Tristan Halliday; sister-in-laws, Donna (Howard) Linder and Marilyn Harper; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Swim & Dive Program, c/o Athletic Department, Upper Arlington High School, 1650 Ridgeview Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43221. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 4-7pm at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221. To share a special memory of Donald, please visit our online guestbook at www.schoedinger.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Harper
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
2 Entries
Natalie (Fancher) Hartman-Whitnack
May 18, 2019
I remember Don when we were growing up in East Pablo Alto. He spent considerable time at the Ravenswood Recreation Center. The center had a trampoline where Don honed his skills
enabling his Olympic diving championships. Don was a triple threat individual with intelligence, athletic prowess and a delightful personality.
March 23, 2018
I remember Don when he was the faculty leader for the SCUBA club in the late 60's to 1971 when I graduated from OSU. I will be 70 this year and am still SCUBA diving. Don was a great man and I still talked about him with others that I graduated with. He was an inspiration for me and I always thought the most of him. I am sorry for your loss.
Jack Padley
Huntsville, AL
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