After WJ, I went to Lehigh University in Bethlehem PA graduating with a BS in Chemical Engineering. I got to play two years of basketball there. A highlight of which was learning from future hall of fame coach, Pete Carril, who coached one year at Lehigh before going on to his distinguished career at Princeton. While in my senior year, I met my future wife, Elizabeth Volk, who graduated from Cedar Crest College with degrees in English and Psychology. For a year after graduation I worked as a Chemical Engineer at the National Institutes of Health awaiting the start of medical school. My job at NIH allowed some free time to do substitute teaching. I worked some days at Walter Johnson... an interesting experience.              Two highlights of attending Georgetown Medical School were elective rotations in Indian Health near Sante Fe , NM and a pediatric clinic in Nassau , Bahamas . After graduating from Georgetown I completed my Family Practice residency in Sacramento CA . We have been here since. I don't miss the humidity or the gnats. There is almost no rain between April and November. The summers are hot but dry and it seldom freezes. Being 90 miles from San Francisco and 100 miles from Lake Tahoe is great. I do miss warm ocean waters as you need a wet suit to swim off the northern California coast.


            I went to work for the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program. In addition to managing my own medical patients I have had the opportunity to serve in various leadership roles. I completed my requirements for my certification in medical leadership in 2000 and am currently working on my fellowship requirements. Four years ago I opted to go back to patient care and prepare for retirement most likely in April 2008. I currently work 3-4 days/week doing patient care. I'm working to set up a consulting/training business. For more information on this developing project see my website, www.clinicalcatalyst.com .


            Beth, my wife and best friend of 36+ years, went back to school part-time while the kids were growing up. She got a Masters in Experimental Psychology at Sacramento State University before settling on Philosophy. She obtained her PhD in Philosophy of Science at University of California at Davis . She enjoys her work as a professor of Philosophy at Sacramento City College with interests in philosophy of science, feminism and animal rights. Last year she completed the Nike Marathon in San Francisco which benefited the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.  


            We have three terrific children. Our 31 year old son, Jonathan, lives in Oakland and works for PG&E in their renewable energy group. He has a sociology degree from University of California , San Diego and did his graduate work at Michigan obtaining his MBA and masters in social policy.  Jon and his wife, Sarah who is a K-3 teacher live in Oakland , CA .   Our 29 year old daughter, Alexa, lives in Ann Arbor MI with her husband of three years, Christian Guenther. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Vassar College . They are both graduate students at the University of Michigan . Alexa is currently writing her dissertation in action theory to finish her PhD in Philosophy. While pursuing this degree she obtained a Masters in Creative Writing and Poetry.  Her husband will finish his MBA/Masters program in sustainability this spring. Our youngest, Bryan , works in sales for Sonic Wall, a software firm, and lives in San Francisco . He graduated from University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology.


            I have enjoyed my work as a Family Medicine physician and physician leader. In my spare time I was heavily involved in coaching youth sports, both soccer and baseball. I am an avid bicyclist. I ride over 100 miles per week and am fortunate enough to be able to commute to work. Three of my peak cycling experiences were: riding for three weeks in Italy with friends which included the highlight of a visit to the Shrine of the Madonna Del Ghisallo, the patron saint of bicyclists, which overlooks Lake Como . The second was cycling part way across the country with America By Bicycle. I plan on finishing the ride across country after retiring. I have also regularly participated in the Markleville Death Ride near Lake Tahoe in July. I also enjoy travel, golf, and a developing interest in vegan cooking.


            The attached family picture was taken at Jon's wedding this past June in Sonoma , CA. (Left to right, Beth, Bryan, Chris, Sarah, Jon, Alexa, and me).


            The cycling pictures were from the ride from Riverside CA to Topeka KS, the first at the start "dipping the wheels in the Pacific Ocean" and the second six days later "standing on a corner" in Winslow AZ on the way to Gallup NM. The last picture is during a Markleville ride at the top of Monitor Pass.


            Beth and I are empty nesters except for the two rescue dogs and two rescue cats. We have two grand kittens in Ann Arbor , but no grand kids yet. We have plenty of space if anyone finds themselves in the area just give us a call. I have extra bikes for a ride along the American River Bike Trail and Sacramento has an excellent train museum. 





For the 50th Reunion: 


Since our 40^th reunion, Beth and I have become grand parents. Two grand daughters and four grandsons ages 8 through 2. Our oldest, Jon, works for Google and lives in Oakland. Our daughter, Alexa, is a philosophy professor at Santa Rosa Junior College and lives in Santa Rosa. Our youngest, Bryan, works at eFolder and lives in Lafayette. We enjoy seeing them regularly and helping out. We also occasionally see my sister, Lani, (e.g. WJ class ’65) who lives in Phoenix. (See attached picture Thanksgiving 2014)


         Beth and I are in good health especially since changing to a plant based diet 10 years ago. The only hitch is my 2010 bike accident resulting in a hip fracture… got me a “new” hip. Complications led to limited range of motion but no pain.  


         Beth is still teaching philosophy at Sacramento City College. She cut back to ½ time recently and is enjoying the reduced workload. My “retirement” in 2008 after 30 years with Kaiser Permanente quickly morphed into an encore career of working with patients and communities to build healthy populations and reduce healthcare costs. My clinical focus is on reversing and curing chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension and obesity) while trying to maintain my Family Medicine skills. Last year I passed my boards for the sixth time. I continue to add to my administrative skills with the completion of quality improvement training at Intermountain Health Care and becoming a Fellow with the American College of Physician Executives. Currently, I’m working as the Chief Medical Officer for Switch Healthcare


         Since our last reunion I have been impressed with the importance of diet as well as the difficulty in getting the best information. I recommend three websites for obtaining reliable resources. They are all commercial free. These are www.nutritionfacts.org  (e.g. subscribe for thrice weekly video’s), www.drmcdougall.com (e.g. subscribe to monthly newsletter) and finally www.PCRM.org  (pamphlets, 21 day Kick starter Programs).


         Beth and I are still in Sacramento and still have plenty of space if anyone finds himself or herself in the area. Sorry to miss the reunion as I enjoyed our 40^th. Kudos to everyone involved in the planning.


Have fun and be well.


Best, Don 


 

 

After WJ, I attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where I majored in economics (thank you Mr. Ford) and history (and you too Mr. Walsh). I was then presented with an employment opportunity by Uncle that I was unable to pass up. So, in May of 1970 I was marching against the war, and a few months later I was marching toward it. By luck of the draw, however, I was sent to Germany, where I shuffled papers for a year-and-a-half.





When I got out, I came back to the DC area and landed a job as an economist with the Department of Commerce. I attended evening classes at GWU and got a Masters in economics. I wound up spending my career at the Commerce Department until I retired in 2003. The most rewarding part of my work was serving for 13 years as Editor-in-Chief of our monthly journal, Survey of Current Business. I'm now working part time as a consultant and am very much enjoying having the time to hike in National Parks (what a beautiful country we live in), exercise, play bridge, and whatever else I choose to do.





I am married to a wonderful woman (Roseanne) and have a daughter (Bethany) at Lynchburg College and two stepsons (Scott and Mark) at Virginia Tech and at UVA. We are living in Fairfax County, not far from Dulles Airport.





As I think back on those years so long ago, several images come to my mind: the interruption of a test in Mrs. Philpula's English class on the afternoon of November 22, 1963; teaching fellow students to parallel park as a drivers' ed assistant; seeing an excellent performance of "My Fair Lady"; and going to Mr. Walsh's wine party for his European history class.