Don left us Sunday, February 8. We miss him so much.
Friends are invited to celebrate Don's life at a memorial service Thursday in Milwaukie:
Thursday, February 12, 2009
2 pm
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church
2036 SE Jefferson Street
Milwaukie OR 97222
Location by MapQuest
A gathering celebrating Don's life will be held at his sister's home in Clackamas following the service. Directions will be available at the service or e-mail his sister for directions.
Please bring your memories and photos. Don recounted some of his adventures over the last six months but we're learning more each day about his impact as a climbing teacher, climbing partner and friend.
Don requested no flowers. He would be honored by remembrances to Friends of the Columbia Gorge, an organization passionate about preserving the Columbia River Gorge where he loved to hike, or to the emergency food program at William Temple House.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
522 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 720
Portland, OR 97204
http://www.gorgefriends.org/
William Temple House
2023 NW Hoyt Street
Portland, OR 97209
http://www.williamtemple.org/
We received a link today to remembrances of Don at the Cascade Climbers forum. Friends and family may enjoy reading them at the Cascade Climbers web site: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/866639/Re_A_good_friend_and_climber_p#Post866639
We love you Don.
Your family...Mom, Dad, Diane, Donna, John, Mike and Brian
I climbed with Don often during the short time I lived in Portland in 1996-1997. He was then, and remains now, a wonderful memory of the time I spent there. He opened up the true beauty of Smith Rocks for me, and I owe him a debt of gratitude for that simple gift.
ReplyDeleteI recall reading of his, Marty, and Matt's escapade under Snow Creek Wall in Washington during the fires of 1994. Later when I met him, Don told the story with great relish and great humor.
His memory will remain with me forever, and I will celebrate Don's life on this sad day.
Farewell friend, journey well.
Mike Adamson
North Bend, WA
There is not a day I don't think about what a great person Don was and how wonderful our time together was. Our memories together are cherished and I am thankful my connection with the Gonthier family continues.
ReplyDeleteI know that most people remember Don for the great outdoorsman and climber he was. That was his passion in life and the source of many great accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to share some of his other great accomplishments that maybe some people aren’t as familiar with; including Don himself.
Don had a long lasting, meaningful relationship and was a caring partner to a single mother. He became a role model, inspirer of a young mind and had a large hand in raising a little girl. He would read to the little girl every night until she was able to read the same books back to him. He would sit for hair braiding and curling while playing mindsweeper. He showed her all of the beauty and fun to be had in her own home state. The outdoor skills she leaned would also teach her self confidence. He introduced her to the finer things in life; such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana and Nintendo. He would struggle to help her grasp mathematical skills even when she thought she would never understand. And finally he taught her to do what she enjoys in life and not to worry too much about the details.
Thank you for this writing, it has touched my soul.
ReplyDeleteThe little girl in this writing grew into a wonderful young lady, thankful for the lessons she learned from Don. Without his love and attention she would not have deveolped into the lovely young lady she is.
Thank you again for sharing this.
For some reason I thought of Don again today. Memory of a human being keeps them present in the world of today. Here's to you Don!
ReplyDeleteRemembering Don, Do and Joe. 3 people who touched my life and will remain in my thoughts always.
ReplyDelete