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History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Donald R. Green
MADISON
— Donald R. Green, age 81, passed away Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, at his home in Madison
surrounded by his loving family, one week after celebrating his 59th wedding
anniversary with his wife, Sylvia (Asper) Green.
Don was born Sept.
12, 1930, in Wabasha, Minn., son of Orville F. Green and Lois (McCain) Green.
He grew up in Pepin, and in 1941 moved to Eau Claire, graduating in 1948 from
Eau Claire High School. Through a friend he met Sylvia Florence Asper on May 13, 1951, while on a visit to her hometown of
Salt Lake City; they married Aug. 5, 1953, following a romance through letters
and short visits. Their love continued 59 years and lives on in their children,
grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
A gifted baritone
horn player with a love of music, Don spent much of his career as a music
teacher. He graduated in 1953 with a bachelor of science
degree from Wisconsin State Teacher’s College-Eau Claire. Don began his
teaching career at St. Croix Falls and New Lisbon schools. He taught in the
Madison school district for 38 1/2 years, beginning in 1956. He taught at West
Junior High School, Longfellow School, East Junior and Senior High Schools, and
Sherman Elementary and Middle Schools. From 1971 until his retirement in 1994,
he taught band and strings at Schenk (later Whitehorse) middle and elementary
schools. In 1956, he began graduate school in Madison and earned a master of
science in music and education in 1959. Most memorable was his time as a
student conductor in the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, including a
trip to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1960.
From 1966 until
1967, he took a leave of absence from teaching to start a doctorate program at
UW-Madison. Despite the distractions of four young children who remember him
working at a typewriter, he graduated with a doctor of philosophy degree in
education in 1973. From 1960 until his death, Don lived at his home in Madison,
where he and Sylvia celebrated the births of their children, Michael, Shelly,
Shannon and Patrick. For 20 years Don directed handbell
choirs, including at First United Methodist Church (1982 until 1998) and at Orchard
Ridge United Church of Christ from 1998 until 2002.
Don enlisted in the
U.S. Army National Guard in 1947 prior to high school graduation. He was
appointed from sergeant to lieutenant in 1952, became first lieutenant in 1955
and captain in 1958. His teaching career was interrupted from 1961 until 1962
with a call to active duty; he served during the Berlin Crisis with the 32nd
“Red Arrow” Infantry Division as commander of
Watertown Company C, 3D Battle Group, 127th Infantry stationed at Fort
Lewis, Wash. He received the division’s certificate of achievement for his
performance at Hunter Leggett Reservation, Calif., in July 1962. Don was
promoted to major in 1963, to lieutenant colonel in 1971 and colonel in 1975,
and graduated from the Army War College in Pennsylvania in 1977. His service
included a number of trips to Germany. After 34 years of service, Don retired
in 1982 as commander of the 64th Support Center Rear Area Operations Command
(RAOC) of the Wisconsin National Guard.
Don joined Juneau
Lodge No. 105 of the Masons in 1956; he was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a
member of Zor Shrine for many years. Throughout his
life, Don played in numerous bands in southern Wisconsin, including Capital
City Band, Monroe City Band, VFW Band, and the Zor
Concert Band and Zor Noblemen. He and Sylvia enjoyed
a trip to Europe with the Dual County Band. With friends Bev and Bill Payne,
Don and Sylvia took several trips abroad. Among other trips, Don and Sylvia
visited Germany in 1990 in the midst of reunification.
Don is survived by
his wife, Sylvia; children, Michael (Julie Beck), Shelly, Shannon (Scott
Johnson) and Patrick (Julie Tipple); grandchildren, Adam (Tiffiny
Forde), Amelia (Adam Babler), Danielle, Jacob,
Joseph, Jared and Josh; and great-grandchildren, Landen,
Aubrie and Brodie.
Don was preceded in
death by his father and mother; by his sister, Lola Mae (Green) Spears in 1990;
and infant brother, John Harrison Green in 1940.
Funeral services
will be held at Gunderson East Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11
a.m. on Saturday. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 until 8
p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. For
those seeking a memorial in his name, donations are encouraged to the American
Diabetes Association, Capital City Band of Madison, and Shriners
Hospitals for Children.
A loving husband,
gentle father, grandfather and greatgrandfather, his
sense of humor always brought smiles and was evident to the end. He will be
remembered for his selflessness and generosity, his kind nature and pointed
sense of humor. He touched many lives and through them, will live on forever.
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive Madison Creating Strong Families for a Stronger Community!
History of Watertown, Wisconsin