Don Schurman

Don Schurman died February 22, 2018, at the age of 79, with his wife, Jill, of 43 years on one side and his beloved dog, Mimi, on the other. He died in the arms of love. Don was born to Larry and Ivis Schurman in Big Spring, Texas, on June 16, 1938. Don graduated from Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas. He married Kathryn Vernelson in 1957. Together they had four children: Lorelie, Travis, Yvonne and Kurt. Don attended Arlington State College before joining the Dallas Police Department in 1958 where he was a member S.W.A.T. squad until the fall of 1964. Don was on duty at the World Trade Center in Dallas when President Kennedy was assassinated. He left the police department to return to school. Don earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1965, and then attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he earned both his Master and PhD Degrees in Psychology in 1968. Don and Kathryn were divorced in 1969. Don left Texas on a Harley motorcycle wearing Levis, cowboy boots and a biker’s jacket to begin work in the Psychology Department at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. It was in Atlanta that Don met Jill. It was Don’s voice, laugh and smile that first attracted Jill and they were married in 1976. The family of Don, Jill, and Jill’s daughter, Leah, was completed in 1977 with the birth of their daughter, Aysha. Their family then became one of his, hers and ours. The family moved to Mars, Pennsylvania, in 1978 where Don worked for Applied Science Associates, a consulting firm outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Don always wanted to return to the West, but not to the heat of Texas. When an opportunity arose at the Idaho National Energy Laboratory in 1984, Don and family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. Don worked as a human factor researcher, and his work had a major impact of the nuclear industry, most especially his work in human error that shaped human reliability analysis, which in turn made commercial nuclear safer for all. Don also had many major publications that significantly contributed to the field and he was always there to help the junior researchers learn about the field and how excellent research should be done. He could always be depended on for thoughtful, innovative contributions and was a valued and well-respected colleague. Don was a man of many interests. In his younger years, he was a ham radio operator. He played the guitar and was teaching himself to play the flute. Don had a memorable bass voice. The richness of his voice, whether singing Christmas carols or Jewish prayers, filled the room. He sang in choirs and performed in the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre. He had a joyous, explosive laugh, which to a small child sounded like a sonic boom. Don loved working with gems, rocks, and minerals. He was a prolific reader, enjoying everything from Shakespeare and the Classics to contemporary works. His favorites were Science Fiction and Fantasy. Don enjoyed the challenge of chess, listening to classical music, outdoor festivals and foods of the world. His film interests ranged from Japanese classics to animated films like "Wallace and Gromit." Don had studied many of the world’s religions and philosophies that led him to the practice of meditation, Tai chi, and Daoism. It was in Tai chi that Don found his soul’s spirit. He read extensively, went to workshops, studied with masters on both the East and West coasts, and edited a Tai chi website. A friend stated that he appreciated the fact that Don was centered and true. Don started the Sleeping Tiger School of Internal Arts and over the years had many students who have expressed appreciation and fondness for his guidance. Don is survived by his wife, Jill, his sister, Alice Mae, sons, Kurt and Travis (Kathleen), daughters, Lorelei, Yvonne and Aysha, stepdaughter, Leah, 13 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and his friend of many years, Mark Otis. All who knew and loved him will sorely miss Don Schurman. Shrufu Schurman garrulous mountain silent words persist. Rest In Peace A celebration of Don’s life will be held on his 80th birthday, June 16, 2018, at the family home. All friends, co-workers, and Tai chi students are invited to celebrate Don’s life with his family.

Private Family Services will be held at a later date. He passed away on