August 29, 1927 – August 25, 2016. Age 88 years. A resident of New Castle Place in Mequon, formerly of Naples, FL and Elm Grove, WI. He is the son of the late Clarence  and the late Hilda (nee Timm). Beloved husband of Nancy (nee Foerst) for  58 years. Loving father of Karen (the late Steven) Sullivan, Jack  (Kristine), Thomas (Lynn) and Michael (Linda). Special grandfather of Kevin and Annie Sullivan; Katherine, Sarah, Matthew and Calvin Koepke. Dear brother of Gerald F. (Eunice). Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation Monday August 29 from 4:00 PM until time of Memorial Service at 5:30PM at Fox Point Lutheran Church, 7510 N. Santa Monica Blvd. In lieu of flowers memorials to The Middleton Society, University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Ave., Madison, WI 53726 (608)-263-4545  www.supportuw.org appreciated.

Don was a 1945 graduate of Rufus King High School. He served his country in the medical division of the US Navy from 1945-1947. In 1947, he attended University of WI-Madison where he graduated with Pre-Med degree in 1950. Immediately after he attended University of WI-Medical School graduating in 1953. His internship was at Milwaukee Hospital in 1953. His surgical residency was at University of WI-Madison from 1954-1958. On March 15, 1958, he married the love of his life, Nancy.  His Thoracic fellowship was in 1959, followed by Cardiovascular Surgery and Instructorship fellowship from 1960-1961 at the University of WI. Don became an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Medical College of WI-Madison from 1961-1964.

Don joined a private practice in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery with Dr. Charles S. Rife at Milwaukee Hospital from 1964-1973. During this time he was chief of surgery at Milwaukee Hospital.  In 1973, Don started his own practice, Mayfair Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. During this time he moved to St Joseph’s Hospital where he was a major contributor to the heart program by helping to fulfill the guidelines to have the hospital accredited for a Heart Program.

January 1, 1988, Don retired to Naples, FL where he spent his winters golfing (winning several club championships), traveling, fly fishing, tying flies, playing bridge and reading.  He hunted back home at the Rock Bend Hunt Club and spent time in the North Woods during the summer months.