Alan Donaldson

ALAN DONALDSON Click here to view a video tribute of Alan IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Alan D. Donaldson, 73, of Idaho Falls, passed away October 18, 2007, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born February 16, 1934, in San Diego, California, to Archibald Donaldson, Jr. And Marie Catherine Tyarks Donaldson. He lived in San Diego, California; the Philippine Islands; Trenton, Michigan; Waukegan, Illinois; Brooklyn, New York; Jamaica, New York; and Van Nuys, California. He graduated from Van Nuys High School and obtained a Bachelors of Science at MIT. He married Jean Buchanan Reff June 18, 1966, in Crookston, Minnesota. After a trip around the United States by light plane, lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Boyertown, Pennsylvania, and Albany, Oregon, before moving to Idaho Falls in 1978. He worked as a Metallurgist for E G & G and Lockheed Martin before founding three companies, Plasma Quench Technologies, Nanoblok and Idaho Titanium Technologies in 1992. He and his partner, Ronald Cordes, were awarded the 2001 Best emerging Technologies in the light metals division, an award from The International Materials and Metals Society (TMS). ITT had a contract with the U. S. Navy and was the recipient of a National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST) grant. It was the first company in the state of Idaho to have ever received this coveted award. He obtained his private pilot’s license, logging many hours as a pilot. He was a member of the Nordic Ski Patrol from 1990 to 2000. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Idaho Falls and served on the church board. Al Donaldson enjoyed sailing, cross country skiing, hiking, travel, cooking and reading history and science fiction. He made his opinions known by writing many letters to the editors of various publications. He especially enjoyed being with his family. Survivors include: Wife, Jean “Jeanie” Donaldson of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter, Virginia “Ginnie” Donaldson of Goodlettsville, TN Daughter, Sarah Newcomb of Boise, ID Daughter, Margaret (Justin) Childers of Coeur d’Alene, ID Brother, Paul Robert Donaldson of Arlington, VA Sister, Joan Marie (Barry) Rugh of Latrobe, PA Grandsons, Jett Alan and Cameron William Childers He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial Services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 North Water Avenue, Idaho Falls, with Reverend Lyn Stangland Cameron of the Unitarian Universalist Church and Reverend Brenda Sene of Trinity United Methodist Church officiating. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m. at the church. The family requests memorials be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church, P.O. Box 50376, Idaho Falls, ID 83405-0376 or Harriman State Park. -------------------------------- Condolences received online: Sharon and Ron Modrow Dear Jeanie and Family, We were so sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that your friends are here for you. May God give you comfort in difficult days ahead. Love, Sharon and Ron Ron & Betty Cordes troutbeck@ida.net Betty and I were so disheartened to hear of Alan's passing. Thinking of Alan's greeting each morning at the Innovation Center, and all that we shared over the years, will always bring a smile to my face. The disappointments, the triumphs . . . . they were all part of a truly unique experience that few ever get the chance to share. But Alan and I had that opportunity, and I will always think back on it as one of the highlights in my life. Alan will be missed . . . a simple statement, but one that sums up what Alan meant to so many. Ron & Betty Cordes Linda and Rick Dughi richlin1@comcast.net Our deepest sympathy to all of you on your loss. I haven't seen Alan in years but always admired him for following his convictions and his devotion to his family. Cousin Linda Tyarks Dughi and Rick Dughi Tami Thatcher [tzt@srv.net] Phone: (208) 522-2341 To the family of Alan Donaldson, It is with shock and sadness that I send my sympathy to you. I will miss Alan, and I will miss his strong liberal voice on matters of concern to all of us. I will miss his support at the Unitarian Universalist Church. May healing come to all of the family and may Alan’s life be celebrated. Tim Brockish It was quite a shock to learn of Al's passing. He was such a vibrant and engaged person. We greatly value our association with Al and Jeanie and his entrepreneurial companies. We wish Jeanie and his family our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences at this sad time. Tim and Wendy Brockish CompuSmart David & Linda Eaves Jeanie – We were really surprised and saddened by the news. It brought memories of the good time we had here in Baja California with you & Al, it seems like just a couple of years ago. Elisabeth is here with us right now; she recalled her doll “little Margaret”, a name inspired by newborn Margaret in Vancouver around ’74. Al was probably the brightest person I knew at MIT, he was curious and knowledgeable about an amazingly wide range of things and a shrewd and tolerant judge of people. He was not blind to the foibles of human nature but was nevertheless a constructive optimist and a positive force in the universe. You have two healthy wonderful offsprings plus grandkids, you two must have done a lot of things right. Bill Fite wfite@tampabay.rr.com I never met Alan, but I have enjoyed his thoughtful and informative messages on the Sea Pearl discussion group site for several years. His obituary confirms what one would have guessed from his writing -- he was a person of impressive achievements and a loving member of a loving family. My heartfelt condolences to all of you who were close to him. Bill Fite Terry Felts [trfelts@cableone.net] D ear Jeanie and family, W hat a beautiful service that was for Alan! Even though I knew him only briefly, after hearing all the heart warming stories, I felt like I had known him my whole life. I truly wish I could have known him much longer as I could tell he was a wonderful man who knew how to live life to its fullest. Dominic greatly misses him and has many fond memories of his dearest friend. Blessings to all in sympathy and friendship, Terry Felts (Dominic Varacalle)