Donald "Don" F. McDonald Pleasant Valley Died on Friday, February 19th, 2010
Visitation:
Services:
11 a.m. Monday, March 1st, 2010 Trinity Episcopal Cathredral, 121 W. 12th Street, Davenport, Iowa
Cemetery: National Cemetery
Donald (Don) McDonald, 88, of Pleasant Valley, Iowa, died peacefully Friday, February 19, 2010 in his sleep at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 1st, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 121 West 12th Street, Davenport. Private committal will be held at the National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL. Memorials may be made to the Quad City Symphony, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, YMCA, or the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House. Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. McDonald was born in 1921, in Freeport, Illinois to Donald and Helen (Frank) McDonald. Shortly thereafter, his parents moved to Davenport where he lived, except for a couple of lengthy excursions, for the rest of his life. He attended Davenport High School and graduated with the Class of 1939. After high school, he attended Harvard College and graduated cum laude with the Class of 1943. At that time, classes there were accelerated, so that students could join one of the armed services.
A veteran of the 4th Armored Division of the Third United States Army, he was awarded the Bronze Star for combat in and around the Chateau Salins in eastern France in September of 1944. He returned in 1945 and joined Frank Foundries Corporation, which produced gray and ductile iron casting for heavy-duty truck, diesel engine and agricultural equipment manufacturers. He worked there for 48 years until 1993 when he retired as Chairman of the Board. While working, he was a member of Junior Achievement of Moline, the original Associated Employers of the Quad Cities, the Gray and Ductile Iron Society, and the American Foundryman's Society.
For many years, he was a Trustee of the former Saint Katharine's School, where he served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors. This was during a period of lean, difficult years as far as financing was concerned. Fortunately, the school never closed its doors. It exists today as Rivermont Collegiate. He was also a former member of the Contemporary Club, Rod & Gun Club, The Outing Club, and Davenport Country Club, where he enjoyed many rounds of golf.
For more than fifty years until the present, he was an officer and trustee of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association. He served as President of the organization from 1952- 53 and later as Assistant Treasurer. In this capacity, he set in motion the earliest monetary policy to establish what became the nucleus of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Trust. Today it is a source of much of the Association's well-founded financial stability. In 1989, he wrote the history of the Symphony titled, "Celebrating the Art of Sound."
He is survived by his devoted wife, Alice; their three daughters, Ann, Holly, and Brooke; their son, Scott; five granddaughters; and three grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Mary Ann.
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Weerts Funeral Home - 3625 Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport, Iowa 52807 tel. 563.355.4433